When a Piece of Marble Becomes a Lively Portrait
In this 15th-century sculpture, tiny details bring a young boy to life
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Out of a piece of marble, a spirited young boy emerges.
The identity of the boy, who is roughly 3 years old, remains a mystery. But one thing is unmistakable: the artist's skill in crafting this delightfully intricate portrait.
In the first season of Getty's Close Looking video series, Getty curators explore the details of artworks they cherish. For this installment, Getty's senior curator of sculpture and decorative arts, Anne-Lise Desmas, explains why Desiderio da Settignano's 15th-century sculpture Bust of a Young Boy is one of her favorites in the Getty collection. With his chisel, da Settignano was able to render nuances like a slight turn of the head, a pensive gaze, a hint of a smile, and silky locks of hair.
"I can't get enough of the effects of liveliness, softness and delicacy that I sense in this artwork," Desmas says.
Discover all the details in the video below!
Get an insider's view of more works of art in Getty's Close Looking series, in which art experts and enthusiasts around Getty share some of their favorite works of art.
