Venetian Baroque Carved Walnut Sculpture of a Siren Supporting a Circular Planter
Attributed to Andrea Brustolon
Italy (Venice), 18th century
A masterfully carved walnut figure of a nude siren, kneeling on an elaborately scrolled and shell-carved base while raising a large, richly ornamented circular flower basin above her head. The female figure is rendered with great sensitivity: her body is soft and naturalistic, her face turned slightly upward with an expressive gaze, and her hair carved in loose, flowing locks. The basin itself is deeply undercut with scrolling acanthus, cartouches, and rocaille ornament, creating a dramatic interplay of light and shadow typical of the finest Venetian Baroque wood carving.
The sculpture is executed in high-quality walnut of exceptionally fine grain and warm, even tone. The overall composition combines monumental scale with refined detail, transforming a functional object into a fully sculptural work of art.
Attributed to Andrea Brustolon (Belluno 1662–1732), the celebrated Venetian wood sculptor often called the “Michelangelo of wood.” Brustolon and his workshop are renowned for elaborately carved figural furniture and decorative objects in walnut and other woods, many of which feature mythological or allegorical figures supporting architectural or functional elements. Comparable works by Brustolon and his circle are preserved in the Ca’ Rezzonico, Venice.
Dimensions
Height: 110 cm
Diameter of basin: 75 cm