Bust of a Youth in a Garland

Abstract

The original location and subject of this bust are unknown. Angelo Maria Bandini referred to the work as ""St. Ansanus,"" but there is insufficient evidence to support this identification. The modeling, meditative turn of the head, and shell-niche behind (glazed purple, in imitation of marble or porphyry) all create a classical image, which has lead some scholars to suggest that this is not a saint at all, but a pagan hero. Regardless, the classicism of the sculpture reminds us that clay was a classical medium, discussed in Pliny and revived in the Renaissance. The sculpture is of glazed terracotta and can be found today in the Museo Bandini in Fiesole. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.