Die Bronzen des Massimiliano Soldani Benzi (1656-1740): Reprasentationsstrategien des europaischen Adels um 1700

The grandeur of Massimiliano Soldani Benzi's bronzes reflect the desire for royal crowns, financial policy, and victory immortalization. Owning a Venus Medici or other full-size copies of ancient sculptures by Soldani, like the Liechtensteins or Marlboroughs, was a privilege, as they came from one of the most important collections of ancient works of its time, that of the Medici.

Format: Hardback
Length: 521 pages
Publication date: 24 October 2022
Publisher: De Gruyter

The pursuit of a royal crown, the elevation of a shrewd financial strategy, or the eternalization of triumphant triumphs—all of these aspirations find their embodiment in the majestic grandeur of Massimiliano Soldani Benzi's bronzes. Those fortunate individuals who possessed the Venus Medici or other full-size replicas of ancient sculptures crafted by the Florentine medallion-maker during the early 18th century, such as the Liechtensteins or the Marlboroughs, not only acquired a technically remarkable masterpiece but also held a privilege, as they were part of one of the most esteemed collections of ancient artworks of that era, belonging to the Medici family. Trained in Rome and Paris at the behest of Grand Duke Cosimo III, Soldani emerged as a master of his craft, creating refined new interpretations of ancient originals that were exclusively accessible through diplomatic networks. It was only in the art market of the 18th century that copies of ancient sculptures became a widespread commodity.

Weight: 2170g
Dimension: 280 x 220 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783110693652