SPOTLIGHT ON RENAISSANCE BRONZES
An Exclusive Talk for Members of the Ashmolean
This event takes place in person in the Headley Lecture Theatre and online via Zoom.
In-person tickets are £15 and online tickets are £10. Booking is essential. Book below
With Dr Jeremy Warren, Honorary Curator of Sculpture
In this fascinating talk this Valentine’s season, Dr Jeremy Warren will explore depictions of love found in the Ashmolean's world-class collection of small bronze sculptures.
Whether sacred or profane, love is everywhere in Renaissance sculpture. Showing the love of gods or glimpses of real human love, it can be seen adorning many small bronzes such as statuettes of Venus, or in small relief plaquettes after compositions of the Virgin and Child by Donatello, and even utensils such as inkstands featuring putti or wedding bowls for the Milanese elite.
Three Renaissance bronze gems in the Ashmolean's collection: Virgin and Child with two candelabra plaquette, wedding bowl from Milan, Andrea Briosco's Pan listening to Echo inkstand
Highly detailed, these bronzes also demonstrate why sculpture was debated as the pinnacle art form through their three-dimensionality and naturalism, which cannot easily be replicated in paintings.
The talk will showcase exquisite pieces, many featured in Jeremy's recently published Ashmolean book ‘The Beauty of Bronze’, and include works from the fabulous collection of small Renaissance bronzes assembled by the Victorian collector Charles Drury Fortnum.
Left: Elegant Renaissance bronze statue of Venus © Ashmolean Museum. Right: The Beauty of Bronze by Jeremy Warren book cover
BOOKING
This event takes place in person in the Headley Lecture Theatre and online via Zoom.
In-person tickets are £15 and online tickets are £10. Booking is essential. Book below.
Tickets are only available to Members of the Ashmolean.
Find out more about Ashmolean Membership: Become a Member
