Marble Sculpture “the Contemplative Young Man,” Late 1800s/early 1900s

Marble sculpture “The Contemplative Young Man,” Late 1800s/Early 1900s

This fine white marble bust depicts a young boy, sculpted with extraordinary delicacy and realism. The face, with soft, childlike features, is shot through with an absorbed, melancholy expression; the slightly lowered gaze suggests a moment of reflection or introspection.

Measurements: H 52 x W 34 cm.

The boy wears a draped tunic, treated with great skill: the deep, fluid draperies give the marble an impression of almost textile softness. A headdress falling over one shoulder adds an element of character and movement to the composition, perhaps recalling a folk tradition or winter clothing.

The bust rests on an octagonal base that complements its formal elegance and suggests a late 19th- or early 20th-century period