Comment on Thorvaldsen's Small Silver Head - A Ruined Tondo Portrait
[The author’s note in the text] Particular attention should be directed to the bust of Homer (Else Kai Sass, Thorvaldsens Portrætbuster I, Copenhagen 1963 p. 42ff.). It was copied from the Farnese Homer, which is now in the museum in Naples (G.M.A. Richter, Portraits of the Greeks I, London 1965, p. 50 No. 7). Bartolomeo Cavaceppi, who was strongly inspired by Winckelmann and in 1768-72 published a considerable work on antique sculpture, also copied the Farnese Homer (Die Skulpturen der Sammlung Wallmoden, Archäologisches Institut der Universität Göttingen 1979, No. 52 — K. Fittschen). Both artists restored antiques, an art that Cavaceppi both practised and theorized about on a wide scale. A comparison of the two copies of a copy clearly shows that in contrast to Thorvaldsen Cavaceppi was unable to liberate himself from the style of his time. On the restoration of antiques in this period, see M. Moltesen, Restaurering — før og nu, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek 6. Dec. 1980 – 31. Jan. 1981.
Last updated 26.11.2015