Lot 81: Dora Ohlfsen, Australian (1877-1948) An early 20th century bronze head of a girl

dark brown patination, inscribed to the inside Dora Ohlfsen, raised on a Yellow Safra marble plinth, 57cm high

Ohlfsen moved to Rome in 1902 where she studied sculpture and metalwork, becoming one of the most renowned medalists in Italy. In 1916 she was commissioned by Benito Mussolini to produce Formia's war memorial, at which point Mussolini reputedly told her "You may now be considered an Italian sculptress".

The model for this head was possibly Alex Simpson. She was a 21 year old Austrialian girl living in Rome, who Ohlfsen described as 'a type most clearly approaching that of the Australian girl at her best'. She was the model for Ohlfsen's medal commemorating Anzac day. Oflfsen created the Anzaz medal to raise funds for the disabled Australian and New Zealand soldiers, and an example is in the Australian War Memorial.