Lace Detail Created by 17th Century Artist on Marble Sculpture

Unbelievably, there is a statue on a marble sculpture artwork from the 17th century, which has fantastic artistic charm. The artist captured the incredible lace detail in the hand-carved marble, which is also very detailed and beautiful today.

Creator of the Sculpture – Giuliano Finelli:

This stunning work of art was created from the work of famed Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s little-known apprentice, Giuliano Finelli. Finelli was born in Torrano di Carrara, Italy in 1601 and received formal training in engraving in Naples. Moving to Rome in 1622, the budding artist’s virtuosity in sculpting live figures attracted the famed Bernini, who chose Finelli as his assistant

Known for its decadent theatricality during the Baroque period, European artists continued the classical trends of the Renaissance and molded them into dramatic paintings and sculptures. The work of Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini is especially admired by art historians. However, the work of his lesser-known apprentice, Giuliano Finelli, is just as breathtaking. Finelli was born in Torrano di Carrara, Italy in 1601 and received formal training in engraving in Naples. Moving to Rome in 1622, the budding artist’s virtuosity in sculpting live figures attracted the famed Bernini, who chose Finelli as his assistant.

The Origin of the Original Sculpture:

Under Bernini’s tutelage, Finelli sharpened his artistic talents and political connections. Since Bernini was often commissioned by Pope Urban VIII, the most powerful political figure in Italy at the time, Finelli was able to produce very important works. One of the sculptures is a bust of Maria Duglioli Barberini, niece of Pope Urban VIII, who died in 1621 in complications of childbirth. This bust is also a beautiful work of art handed down from the seventeenth century to the present, and every detail of the lace on it is so amazing.

Thanks to Finelli’s attention to detail. Therefore, the marble statue he carved can show the appearance of this noble lady vividly. When this great artist carved the skirt of this noble lady, he grasped every detail very accurately. So we can see that the lace on the neckline of this bust is very realistic and has a real cloth feel to it, and one would think it was actually made of textiles. This deceiving realism is also the most attractive aspect of this statue. The entire statue is made entirely of marble. Whether it is the hair of the noble lady, the relics of the noble lady or the pearl necklace he decorated are clearly visible and very realistic. Finelli’s skill in depicting the tiniest of details in all his commissions distinguishes his work from that of Bernini and is beautiful to look at.

Supplementary Knowledge:

It is said that in many famous works of Bernini, Finelli also adds color. Thanks to Finelli’s attention to detail, his virtuosity can also be seen in Bernini’s artwork Apollo and Daphne.