Antonio Argenti (Italian, 1845-1916)
Girl with a Bird, late 19th century
Carrara marble
37 inches high
Signed on base: Ant Argenti / Milano
Museum Purchase 2012.1
Argenti was perhaps best known for his charming marble sculptures of children, characterized by romantic sentiment and careful observation of their facial features and expressions. His mastery of the medium can be seen here in the delicate, serene beauty of the child’s face, in the subtle, yet intricate details of the lace, string, and necklace, and in the exceptional movement and texture found in the garment, hair, and bird. A new addition to the Paine’s collection, the sculpture accents the Paine’s loggia, or outdoor porch, and complements the surrounding Morning Terrace garden and its monochromatic palette of white, gray, and silver.
This exquisite marble sculpture of a little girl holding a bird was carved by Antonio Argenti, an Italian master sculptor active in Milan.