A Young Warrior

Tullio Lombardo

1490s · White marble · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

This youth clad in antique-styled armor may represent Saint George or Saint Theodore, Christian warriors who were especially venerated in Venice. He would have led a lance in his right hand and may have guarded a tomb. His energetic pose, twist of his head, and tensely held arms convey the alertness required of a guardian figure. Truthfulness to classical examples was esteemed in Renaissance Venice; this sculptor paid particular attention to rendering the delicately textured scrolling vines that decorate the breastplate, and even carved the laces that hold the metal sleeves together. He left the back unfinished, which indicates it was originally installed in a niche or against a wall.

Artist

Tullio Lombardo

Date

1490s

Medium

White marble

Culture

Italian, Venice

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931