GRAND TOUR
Italian, 19th century
Augustus of Prima Porta
Sand-cast patinated bronze
Cold stamped "B. BOSCHETTI ROMA" on base for foundry of Benedetto Boschetti (Rome, 1820-1879)
Cast circa 1870
29 3/4" H x 10 3/4" diameter
A fine nineteenth century Roman bronze reduction of the celebrated Augustus of Prima Porta, the imperial portrait measuring just over 2 meters high was discovered in 1863 at the Villa of Livia at Prima Porta and is now preserved in the permanent collection of the Braccio Buovo of the Vatican Museums. The antique marble shows Augustus in military dress, with the paludamentum drawn around his hips, the right arm raised in the gesture of adlocutio, and the body arranged in a stance derived from the Doryphoros of Polykleitos. The Vatican dates the marble to the beginning of the first century A.D.
At Augustus’s right leg is Cupid riding a dolphin, a reference to the Julian claim of descent from Venus. In the antique marble this figure also serves the practical function of supporting the composition, while in bronze it remains an important iconographic element. The barefoot presentation of Augustus further separates the image from ordinary military portraiture and places it within the elevated language of heroic and divine representation.
The present cast was produced by the Roman workshop of Benedetto Boschetti, one of the leading makers of antique reductions and luxury objects for the Grand Tour market. Boschetti’s establishment at 74 Via Condotti was known for marble works, bronzes, candelabra, table tops, and mosaics. His workshop exhibited at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851.
An incredibly intricate casting that showcases the highest level of attention to detail throughout, not only is the casting of exceedingly good quality, but the finishing work throughout and cold-tooling completed by the foundry is of a self-evident superior execution. Note the intricate stippling and texturing of the stump supporting Augustus, the inordinate amount of engraving and texturing to the fabric of his armor and the exquisite realism of the raised-relief emblems across his breastplate.
This is a particularly scarce example in one of the larger sizes produced by Boschetti, measuring in just under 30" in total height.
Condition Report:
Original patina throughout in good overall condition with spots of discoloration. Bottom 1/3 of staff is replaced and has a subtle patina variation from the rest of the shaft. Turned rotation post is a later fabrication, as is the fore-shaft of the arrow. Carefully cleaned and sealed in wax. An exquisite presentation.
ref. 603PRN13G
