Nothing is known of the history of this work, which was given to Palazzo Venezia in 1920 by the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo. A plaque affixed to the back bears the number 193, but its meaning is not known. The work, probably intended for private worship, is a bust depicting Christ, leaning to his right, with a serene, peaceful look, a cruciform halo above his head and long hair resting on his shoulders. He is wearing a tunic, which has many deep folds and a wave-like motif on the upper edge, a typically 17th century feature; it can be placed in a Roman context and shows similiarities to Algardi’s classicism. Scientific research carried out in 2009 by IVALSA-CNR in Florence identified the wood used as walnut, onto which paint has, intentionally, never been applied.

Grazia Maria Fachechi