Selected by Andrew Butterfield

May 1, 2012 – July 29, 2012

Antico was the sculptor at the court of Isabella d’Este in Mantua around 1500 and the maker of some of the most sumptuous bronze statuettes in the history of art, often featuring sleek jet black surfaces and radiantly gilded hair and drapery. He was the first to copy a number of the masterpieces of ancient sculpture, including the Apollo Belvedere; and he helped to establish the prestige of the bronze statuette as a princely object. The small and exquisite show at the Frick Collection brings out the subtlety of his sculptures, revealing them to be more than just de luxe items for delectation, but also extremely finely calibrated studies of poetic sensibility.

The Frick is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. $18, adults; $15, senior citizens (65 and over); $10, students with valid identification. Children under ten are not admitted to the Collection. For more information, visit frick.org

Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung, Frankfurt am Main Photo: Artothek

Category: Exhibition