
Read the visual description
The image shows a bust sculpture of a human figure within an ornate niche. The bust features a figure with long hair, draped in a garment covering the shoulders, depicted in a monochrome engraving style. The niche surrounding the bust is decorated with carved patterns, including scroll-like motifs at the top and curved lines framing the figure. The presentation gives the sculpture a classical appearance and a sense of importance or reverence. Detailed hatching in the engraving adds depth and shading, enhancing the three-dimensionality of the sculpture and its niche.
National Gallery of Art · Print
Architectural Motif with a Bust
Carlo Antonio Buffagnotti
- Date
- c. 1690
- Medium
- etching on laid paper
- Dimensions
- plate: 11.3 x 9.2 cm (4 7/16 x 3 5/8 in.) sheet: 16.7 x 12.2 cm (6 9/16 x 4 13/16 in.)
- Classification
- Accession number
- 1997.10.3
- Credit line
- Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
- Time span
- 1651 to 1700
- Department
- CG-E
Portfolio and series
- Series
- Vari Capricii di Fughe Inventate et intagliate da Carlo Buffagnotti
Subjects and terms
- Italian
- etching
- detail and ornament
- architecture
- male
- figure
- Bust
Provenance
(Bernard Quaritch Ltd.); purchased by NGA, 1997.
Inscription
by later hand, lower right in graphite: Buffagnotti di / Bologna
NGA object ID 102369. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.