Giovanni Nisini (19th Century), Head Of Hypnos After An Ancient Model, Bronze, 19th
Artist: Giovanni Nisini (xixe)
Giovanni Nisini (19th century, active in Rome)
Head of Hypnos, after an ancient model
Active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
19th century, late
Bronze with brown patina
Base: cylindrical, marble-style painted wood with a circular base
H. 43 — W. 38 - W. 23 cm
Base: H. 20 cm
Signed: G. Nisini. Rome
The artist and his foundry:
Giovanni Nisini was directing an art foundry in Rome specializing in bronzes modeled after antiquity and reproductions of classical sculptures. Located at 63 Via del Babuino, his studio carried on the tradition of the Grand Tour, a cultural journey during which European travelers discovered ancient art and brought back reproductions of sculptures. His work was awarded a gold medal at the 1894 Antwerp Exhibition, and again at the 1900 Paris World’s Fair.
Description:
The brown patina highlights the contours of the face, the waves of the hair, and the wing rising at the temple. The tilt of the head and the eyelids convey a silent presence, suspended between wakefulness and sleep.
In Greek mythology, Hypnos, son of Nyx, goddess of the Night, and twin brother of Thanatos, the personification of Death, embodies Sleep and the relinquishment of wakefulness. The bronze captures this fragile moment when consciousness fades and the body surrenders to rest, giving lasting form to the mystery of our nights.
Ancient model:
This sculpture is related to the iconography of the head of Hypnos held at the British Museum in London. Discovered in Civitella d’Arno, Italy, and acquired by the museum in 1868, this bronze stands 20.32 cm tall and bears the inventory number 1868,0606.9. It is considered a Roman copy of a Hellenistic Greek original that is now lost.
Hypnos and Fernand Khnopff:
Fernand Khnopff (1858–1921), a leading figure in Belgian Symbolism, kept a cast of the ancient head of Hypnos in his home-studio and incorporated its image into several of his works. In his work, Hypnos becomes an enigmatic presence, associated with dreams, silence, and inner retreat.
Related works:
Fernand Khnopff (1858–1921)
Title: I close my door upon myself (1891)
Fernand Khnoff (1858–1921)
Title: Blue wing (1894)
Head of Hypnos, after an ancient model
Active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
19th century, late
Bronze with brown patina
Base: cylindrical, marble-style painted wood with a circular base
H. 43 — W. 38 - W. 23 cm
Base: H. 20 cm
Signed: G. Nisini. Rome
The artist and his foundry:
Giovanni Nisini was directing an art foundry in Rome specializing in bronzes modeled after antiquity and reproductions of classical sculptures. Located at 63 Via del Babuino, his studio carried on the tradition of the Grand Tour, a cultural journey during which European travelers discovered ancient art and brought back reproductions of sculptures. His work was awarded a gold medal at the 1894 Antwerp Exhibition, and again at the 1900 Paris World’s Fair.
Description:
The brown patina highlights the contours of the face, the waves of the hair, and the wing rising at the temple. The tilt of the head and the eyelids convey a silent presence, suspended between wakefulness and sleep.
In Greek mythology, Hypnos, son of Nyx, goddess of the Night, and twin brother of Thanatos, the personification of Death, embodies Sleep and the relinquishment of wakefulness. The bronze captures this fragile moment when consciousness fades and the body surrenders to rest, giving lasting form to the mystery of our nights.
Ancient model:
This sculpture is related to the iconography of the head of Hypnos held at the British Museum in London. Discovered in Civitella d’Arno, Italy, and acquired by the museum in 1868, this bronze stands 20.32 cm tall and bears the inventory number 1868,0606.9. It is considered a Roman copy of a Hellenistic Greek original that is now lost.
Hypnos and Fernand Khnopff:
Fernand Khnopff (1858–1921), a leading figure in Belgian Symbolism, kept a cast of the ancient head of Hypnos in his home-studio and incorporated its image into several of his works. In his work, Hypnos becomes an enigmatic presence, associated with dreams, silence, and inner retreat.
Related works:
Fernand Khnopff (1858–1921)
Title: I close my door upon myself (1891)
Fernand Khnoff (1858–1921)
Title: Blue wing (1894)
2 300 €
Period: 19th century
Style: Rome and Antic Greece
Condition: Good condition
Material: Bronze
Width: 38 cm
Height: 43 cm
Depth: 23 cm
Reference (ID): 1847615
Availability: In stock
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