THE SCULPTURE PRIZE
The Biennale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze, as sensitive as ever to the needs of the Italian cultural heritage, has established the award for the most beautiful sculpture on display at the Exhibition. The work is selected by the Scientific Committee from among all the sculptures exhibited at Palazzo Corsini during the Biennale.
The Sculpture Award, linked to a financial contribution made available by a sponsor, is intended for the restoration of a work of art indicated by the Florentine Superintendency.
2015 - THE AWARD FOR THE BEST SCULPTURE ASSIGNED TO GIOVANNI PRATESI
The sculpture award, sponsored bythe Banca Federico del Vecchio, was assigned to Giovanni Pratesi of Florence (in the photo) for the work “Saint Louis of Toulouse” 1398 – 1400 by Giovanni D’Ambrogio - Marble, 91 x 26 x 24 cm.
The identification of this young friar wearing the Franciscan habit is facilitated by his headgear, namely the mitre which shows him to be a bishop. This attribute permits us to recognise Saint Louis of Toulouse, the elder brother of Robert of Anjou, who died in 1297 and was proclaimed a saint in 1317. Renouncing the throne to follow his vocation, Louis had handed over to his brother the kingdom of Naples, and for this reason as soon as he became king Robert had actively fostered his brother’s canonisation. Louis thus became the second saint in the House of Anjou, joining Louis IX, King of France (1214-1270), who had been proclaimed saint in 1297.
2013 - THE AWARD FOR THE BEST SCULPTURE ASSIGNED TO WALTER PADOVANI
In the photo: Giovanni Pratesi and Walter Padovani.
The terracotta portraying Hercules and the Nemean Lion can be dated to the early years of the seventeenth century and represents the preparatory model for a monumental sculpture in pietra di ceppo erected in the “Theatre of Hercules” in the garden of Villa Arconati in Castellazzo di Bollate (close to Milan), the suburban villa purchased in 1610 and completely rebuilt by Galeazzo I Arconati (c. 1580 -1648), which continued to belong to his heirs up to a few decades ago.
2011 - THE AWARD FOR THE BEST SCULPTURE ASSIGNED TO LISA DE CARLO
The prize for Sculpture offered by Etro was awarded to Lisa De Carlo for the marble relief showing the Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints and the Donor Pier Mario Brancadori da Fermo, Podestà of Florence (1428) by Luca Della Robbia.
In the photo: Lisa De Carlo and Cristina Acidini.
Luca Della Robbia (Florence 1399/1400-1482)
Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints Lawrence and Catherine of Alexandria and the Donor, Pier Mario Brancadori da Fermo, Podestà of Florence (1428). 37,7 x 28,5 cm.
2009 - THE AWARD FOR THE BEST SCULPTURE ASSIGNED TO "TRINITY FINE ART" GALLERY OF LONDON
The prize for the best sculpture displayed at the XXVI Antiques Fair, sponsored by ETRO, was awarded to the model for the Monument to Pope Innocent XI Odescalchi, in Saint Peter’s, by Pierre-Etienne Monnot (Orchamps-Vennes 1657 - Rome 1733).
In the photo,: Giovanni Pratesi presents the prize to John Winter (right), owner of the London Gallery
Pierre-Etienne Monnot (Orchamps-Vennes 1657 - Rome 1733)
Model for the monument to Pope Innocent XI Odescalchi, in St. Peter’s, Rome.
2007 - THE AWARD FOR THE BEST SCULPTURE ASSIGNED TO CARLO ORSI
The prize for the best sculpture displayed at the XXV Antiques Fair, sponsored by ETRO, was awarded to the work “Lamentation over the Dead Christ borne by Two Angels”, in sculpted marble with gilded elements by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo (Pavia 1447 – Milan 1522).
In the photo: Massimo Bartolozzi, on the right, presents the prize to Carlo Orsi.
Giovanni Antonio Amadeo (Pavia 1447 - Milan 1522)
Lamentation over the Dead Christ borne by two Angels
Sculpted marble with gilded elements, circa 58 x 70 cm.
