Date
1831
Object Type
Statue
Subject
Cyparissus
Holding institution
Accademia di Carrara
About The Work
Work by the sculptor Ferdinando Pelliccia (Carrara 1808 – 1892), created in 1831 during his pensionato in Rome under the guidance of Pietro Tenerani. Upon returning to Carrara, he served first as teacher and later as director of the Royal Academy, practically until his death. This was the last model he executed in the capital during his pensionato, preceded by the “Fauno,” completed the previous year, which is also preserved in the plaster cast gallery of the Accademia di Carrara. The affinity of this study with the earlier “Fauno” further confirms the Tenerani and Praxitelean influences on the artist. Here, however, one can observe a more pronounced naturalistic charge, expressed in all details and also emphasized by the presence of the deer. The mythological episode depicted is narrated by Ovid in the Metamorphoses: the beautiful Cyparissus accidentally kills a deer he adored; turning to his protector Apollo, he asks to be allowed to mourn his friend for eternity, and the god grants his wish, transforming him into a cypress. Carozzi recalls that the work, certainly already translated into marble, was exhibited in Rome, perhaps in 1832, receiving considerable acclaim. However, the current location of the marble is unknown. In the plaster cast gallery of the Accademia di Carrara are preserved: the plaster high relief “La morte dei figli di Bruto,” awarded at the Roman Pensionato of 1828, and the sculpture in the round “Fauno,” 1830.
Title
CIPARISSO
Creator
Pelliccia Ferdinando
Subject
Cyparissus
Object Type
Statue
Original Function
Pensionato. Second and last model sent from Rome, 1831.
Date
1831
Inscriptions
On the base, right: "Ultimo saggio / Ferdinando Pelliccia/ Roma 1831"
Technique / Support
Chalk
Dimensions
cm 148
Holding institution
Accademia di Carrara
Bibliography
RUSSO S., CAROZZI R. (ed), La gipsoteca dell'Accademia di belle arti di Carrara, Massa, 1996. / LAZZONI C., Carrara e le sue Ville. Carrara, 1880. / CAROZZI R., La scuola carrarese tra Canova e Bartolini, in: DE MICHELI M. (a cura di), Scultura Marmo Lavoro, Carrara, 1981. / RAGGI O., Della R. Accademia di belle arti di Carrara : memoria di Oreste Raggi per la grande esposizione di Vienna del 1873 con appendice di lettere inedite di famosi artisti e letterati suoi soci, Roma, 1873.
Conservation status
Good
Restoration history
Restauro ABAC 2011
Unique identifier
0900254708