Emperor Antoninus Pius
by ANTICO, Bronze, partially gilt and silvered, height 76 cm
Working almost exclusively for the members of the Gonzaga family, frequently at their court in Mantua, Antico earned his nickname by specializing in interpretations of antique Greek and Roman sculpture. Isabella d’Este, wife of Francesco II Gonzaga, had owned five busts by Antico dating between 1519 and 1522, among them the present work. All of these share a scrupulous definition of the curls of hair within a flowing treatment of the whole; and strong noses and polished lips.