19th Century Italian Grand Tour Souvenir Bronze Bust of Dante Alighieri

Description

A fine antique 19th Century petite Grand Tour souvenir bronze bust of Italian poet Dante Alighieri. This handsome bust is … more A fine antique 19th Century petite Grand Tour souvenir bronze bust of Italian poet Dante Alighieri. This handsome bust is well cast with exquisite details and lovely original patina. It would perfect on a desk or bookshelf in a library or study.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, intaglios and miniature busts were travel souvenirs that wealthy young aristocrats would bring back from the Grand Tour, which was typically a year long journey across Europe to learn about art, culture, and history. This expedition was seen as a rite of passage and the culmination of their education, which was grounded in the classics. less