Portrait of a Lady, called ‘Zingarella’

‘Portrait of a Lady, called “Zingarella”’ is a copy of the Original by Antonio Canova is in the Louvre, Paris.

A fragment of an ancient marble sculpture of the goddess Artemis was found near Athens (which may have bene a Roman copy of a 4th C BC Greek original). Bronze arms, feet and a head were added, possibly in the late 16/early 17th century, possibly by Bernini, Algardi or Cordier. It was known as La Zingara (the gypsy) at some stage, later La Zingarella or La Petite Bohemienne, and is now in the Louvre.

Canova then sculpted a marble copy of the bronze head, of which the item here is a copy.

Antonio Canova (1757-1822) was an Italian neo-classical sculptor whose work was heavily inspired by Baroque architectural design. He was instrumental to moving sculpture to aesthetics of clean, calm lines and supple forms whilst being inspired by classical antiquity. Canova was heavily influenced by his Grand Tour 1779-80, where he encountered other artists, sculptures and styles. He was known for his large commissions of papal monuments and the Bonaparte family. His work is now on public display in the world’s most prestigious art institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Louvre and Royal Collection Trust.