Lot number 3113 - Auction 160
FLUSSGOTT (DIO FLUVIALE)

AFTER MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI 1475-1564 RIVER GOD (DIO FLUVIALE) Italy or Central Europe, second half of the 18th century. Lindenwood, carved in the round from three glued blocks of wood. H. 24, W. 13, D. 12 cm; weight approx. 0.38 kg. Inscribed on the back: 'K. R. 18' III and '41'. A finely crafted cabinet carving-on a reduced scale-after Michelangelo's famous "Dio Fluviale" (River God), the unfinished marble model of which is housed today in the Casa Buonarroti in Florence. The reclining male nude figure is based on one of the most influential sculptural designs of the Italian High Renaissance; it was likely created as a high-quality study piece or collector's copy intended for the furnishing of princely *Kunstkammern* (cabinets of curiosities) and scholars' cabinets, as well as for the study of classical anatomy and composition. Minor abrasions/nicks. Literature: Cf. De Tolnay: *Michelangelo - Sculptor, Painter, Architect*, Vol. I, Princeton 1943 et seq.; Casa Buonarroti, Florence. Expertise: Radiocarbon analysis (C14 dating) by Mr. Kotalla, Haigerloch, October 2022; dating of the wood: 1736-1802. Provenance: Private collection, Brandenburg.