This Maiden of Anzio bronze was produced by the Giovanni Nisini foundry in Rome during the second half of the 19th century. The inscription “G. Nisini – Roma” appears on the bronze base. The sculpture reflects neoclassical taste and the enduring appeal of the Grand Tour tradition.
The figure’s inclined head and gently turning body create a sense of quiet concentration. Deep folds of drapery frame the exposed shoulder and continue down the length of the figure. Their changing contours invite the viewer to discover the sculpture from different angles.
The Maiden of Anzio and the Antique Model
This composition follows the ancient marble known as the Maiden of Anzio, or Girl of Anzio. The marble belongs to the Museo Nazionale Romano’s collections at Palazzo Massimo in Rome. This bronze translates the ancient model into a different material, bringing renewed emphasis to the interplay of light, surface, and volume.
Neoclassical Taste and the Grand Tour Tradition
The sculpture’s neoclassical character expresses a lasting admiration for the forms of classical antiquity. Within the Grand Tour tradition, reproductions of celebrated sculptures allowed travelers and collectors to bring their encounters with ancient art into domestic settings.
This nineteenth-century interpretation belongs within that broader culture of collecting. It offers a connection between the study of antique sculpture and the decorative presence of bronze in a private interior.
→ Explore works inspired by the Grand Tour
Giovanni Nisini and His Roman Foundry
Giovanni Nisini worked as a bronze founder in Rome during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His showroom was located at 63 Via del Babuino. His business included reproductions after ancient sculpture, as recorded in Baedeker’s 1909 guide to Central Italy and Rome.
Nisini received gold medals at the Antwerp exhibition in 1894 and the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900. The inscription on this bronze identifies the Roman foundry responsible for its production.
Patina and Polychrome Marble Base
An olive-green and brown patina gives the bronze a varied surface, emphasizing the contrast between smooth flesh and folded fabric. The figure stands on a tiered base in polychrome marble. A veined red marble section introduces a warm contrast to the cooler tones of the bronze.
Inquiries and Shipping
Available from Egidi MadeinItaly, this Maiden of Anzio will appeal to collectors of Italian bronzes, neoclassical sculpture, and Grand Tour works.
Inquire about the Maiden of Anzio bronze. We will be pleased to provide further details and a shipping quote.
