A Boy

Gian Cristoforo Romano

late 15th–early 16th century · Marble · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

It has recently been suggested that this bust may be an early work of Gian Cristoforo Romano, who trained in Rome but was later employed by the ruling families of Mantua and in Milan. If this is correct, the youth would belong to a prominent Roman family. Two other portrait busts of boys (Staatliche Museum, Berlin and Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla C' d'Oro, Venice) have been associated with this work. In each, the child wears a chain around his nck; ours with a double-barred cross.

Artist

Gian Cristoforo Romano

Date

late 15th–early 16th century

Medium

Marble

Culture

Italian, Rome

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931