Lot 374: AN ITALIAN WHITE MARBLE BUST EMBLEMATIC OF WINTER

AN ITALIAN WHITE MARBLE BUST EMBLEMATIC OF WINTER
BY GIOVANNI MARIA BENZONI (1808-1873), DATED 1857
Inscribed 'G.M.BENZONI ROMA 1857'
28¾in. (73cm.) high

This imposing bust of 'Winter' by the Rome-based sculptor Giovanni Benzoni is similar to another from the workshop of the artist sold as part of a group of Quattro Stagioni , Christie's London, The Collection of Giorgio Marsan and Umberta Nasi, 12/13 December 2007, lot 300. The Marsan/Nasi busts were possibly executed for Grand Duchess Olga of Russia (d.1892). Benzoni was much favoured by Russian aristocrats and also executed architectural sculptures for the Imperial Theatre, St Petersburg. In Rome he was patronised by Pope Pius IX and represented the Vatican at the Antwerp International Exhibition.