Bust of Grand Prince of Tuscany

myminifactory

This exquisite bust of the Grand Prince of Tuscany is a masterful representation of G. B. Foggini's unparalleled skill in portraiture, cementing his status as the preeminent sculptor of the Florentine Baroque era. Although its creation bears strong echoes of Bernini, it already showcases Foggini's remarkable ability to depict opulence, which ultimately led to his appointment as Medici court sculptor. The dynamic interplay between contrasting elements is striking: delicate lace cravats and sumptuous mantles, inspired by the French court's current fashion trends, perfectly offset the meticulously rendered faces. In a clever reversal, Foggini's sculpture presents a study in contrasts, as the commanding pose and classic Habsburg features of the balding father serve as a counterpoint to the youthful, unformed face of his son, who is overwhelmed by a profuse cascade of curls. Foggini's artistic genius marked the culmination of Medici patronage, as he created a series of portraits featuring family members, all designed to advance the political ambitions of the waning dynasty. This bust, crafted from life, was followed by others that aimed to promote the fading power of the Medici family. Its acquisition has seamlessly integrated our major collection of Roman Baroque portrait busts with an impressive array of small-scale Florentine sculptures from the same period, further enriching our understanding of the era's artistic achievements.