Filippo Strozzi

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Like many notable Florentines, Filippo Strozzi (1428-1491) commissioned a marble portrait to immortalize his likeness. Inscriptions on the Louvre's marble bust unambiguously confirm Filippo as the sitter and Benedetto da Maiano, a renowned Florentine sculptor, as the artist who brought this masterpiece to life. Benedetto's creative process involved crafting terracotta models in preparation for his intricate marble sculptures. The Louvre bust and its accompanying terracotta model, now proudly displayed in Berlin, stand as the earliest surviving exemplars of a terracotta precursor and the finished marble work. Their juxtaposition offers valuable insights into both the sculptor's meticulous working methods and the distinctive characteristics of fifteenth-century Florentine portrait sculpture. In the terracotta bust, Filippo turns his head sharply to the right, a deliberate choice that accentuates his unique physiognomy. The mole situated beside his nose is just one of several distinguishing features that set him apart from others. Notably, the body and head appear disproportionate, suggesting that these two sections were modeled separately in the workshop. It's likely that the master sculptor himself crafted the head, while a skilled artisan handled the body. In contrast to the terracotta model, which focuses intently on capturing Filippo's psychological expression, the marble bust showcases greater attention to physiognomic and clothing details. Here, Filippo faces directly forward, his gaze situated just off centre. His mature features convey a sense of gravity and character, while the enlarged torso rises majestically from the base, radiating an air of authority.