Große Grand Tour Bronze Augustus von Prima Porta

Werkstatt Benedetto Boschetti (1820-1879) zugeschrieben, Mitte 19. Jh., wahrscheinlich Italien.

Vorbild für diese prächtige Darstellung des Kaiser Augustus ist eine monumentale römische Marmorstatue, die auf den Anfang des 1. Jh. n. Chr. datiert wird und sich heute in den Vatikanischen Museen befindet.

Sie zeigt Kaiser Augustus, den Adoptivsohn von Juilius Cäsar, während einer Ansprache an seine Soldaten. Auffällig ist die detaillierte Ausgestaltung des Brustpanzers, die im Gegensatz zu der schlichten Rüstung eines Legionärs steht. Das Relief zeigt mittig eine historisch Szene der römischen Geschichte, darüber die Personifizierung des Himmels, der Sonnengott Apoll und die die Göttin Aurora. Darunter sind neben Apoll auch die Göttin der Erde und Diana dargestellt.

Als die über zwei Meter große Statue 1863 in der Villa der Gattin Augustus, Livia Drusilla in Prima Porto bei Ausgrabungen ans Licht kam, erregte sie ein enormes Aufsehen.              Sie verkörperte nicht nur die Macht und den Glanz des alten Rom, sondern entfachte auch eine neue Leidenschaft für antike Kunst und damit die Reproduktion antiker Skulpturen.

Im frühen 19. Jahrhundert stieg die Nachfrage für hochwertige, in Italien gefertigte Skulpturen durch bildungshungrige Touristen. Die feinen, klassizistischen Arbeiten von Benedetto Boschetti, der in Rom eine berühmte Werkstatt und Bronzegießerei betrieb, waren nicht nur bei den europäischen Aristokraten äußerst begehrt.

Die vorliegende Version ist nicht signiert, sie wird aufgrund ihrer sehr feinen, beeindruckenden Ausführung sämtlicher Details und der hohen Qualität der Arbeit dennoch der Werkstatt von B. Boschetti zugeschrieben.

Schöne, gleichmäßige Patina, bedingt durch Alter und Gebrauch ist diese an einigen Stellen leicht abgegriffen; in den Vertiefungen teilweise etwas matt.

Höhe: 67 cm      Gewicht: 16,7 kg.

Large Grand Tour bronze Augustus of Prima Porta, 
workshop attributed to Benedetto Boschetti (1820-1879),
mid 19th century, probably Italy.

This magnificent depiction of Emperor Augustus is modelled on a monumental Roman marble statue dating from the beginning of the 1st century AD, which is now in the Vatican Museums. It depicts Emperor Augustus, the adopted son of Juilius Caesar, during a speech to his soldiers. The detailed design of the breastplate is striking, in contrast to the simple armour of a legionary. The centre of the relief shows a historical scene from Roman history, with the personification of the heavens, the sun god Apollo and the goddess Aurora, above it. Below Apollo, the goddess of the earth and Diana are also depicted.

When the statue, which is over two metres tall, came to light during excavations in the villa of Augustus' wife Livia Drusilla in Prima Porto in 1863, it caused an enormous sensation. It not only embodied the power and splendour of ancient Rome, but also sparked a new passion for ancient art and thus the reproduction of ancient sculpture.

In the early 19th century, demand for high-quality sculptures made in Italy increased among tourists hungry for education. The fine, neoclassical works by Benedetto Boschetti, who ran a famous workshop and bronze foundry in Rome, were highly sought after, and not just by European aristocrats.

The present version is not signed, but is nevertheless attributed to the workshop of B. Boschetti due to its very fine, impressive execution of all details and the high quality of the work.
Beautiful, even patina, slightly worn in some places due to age and use; somewhat dull in the hollows in places.

Height: 67 cm Weight: 16.7 kg.

I enjoy beautiful things and it is my greatest pleasure to find them, to lure them into their stories, to spend time with them and then set them free again. Add to that a passionate interest in exceptional and high crafted objects. You surely know the exciting feeling when you see or experience something special, when the heart bounces in excitement and the joy inside it spreads. That's what I wanted more in my life and that's how this shop came about. The foundation stone was a study of literature and art history as well as cultural communication. Curiosity, thirst for knowledge and a lot of collaboration with amazing personalities in the art and design world are how I got myself to where I am today. Through antiquities, history becomes tangible in the literal sense, one can perceive it sensually. They calmly defy the constant change of fashions and the taste of the times. They are like a bridge between past and present. For me personally they are an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Some objects give up puzzles, lock themselves up; others quite frankly reveal their past. They radiate joie de vivre, astonish or enchant us; make a collector's heart beat faster or become good friends and a meaningful place in your lives. They may be bulky or controversial, but they are never boring. I believe the stories, the hands, and the tradition behind the objects are equally as important as their aesthetic qualities. Antique objects can adds so much value to your life, and I personally cannot imagine a home without it. Each piece in my shop has been thoughtfully and personally chosen. What unites them is their craftsmanship, care and attention to detail. Enjoy them.