Giovanni Antonio Pilacorte (about 1455 - 1531)
Angel Gabriel, about 1500
Limestone, 54.6 x 26.7 x 17.1 cm (21 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 6 3/4 in.)
This limestone statue of the Angel Gabriel, depicted above the waist, is supported on a capital situated on top of a truncated column with a square section. The support is about as high as half of the Angel sculpture. Gabriel is dressed in a pleated top. He holds one hand at his chest with two fingers extended and his other hand rests at his waist. His curly hair frames his face and forehead and drapes down his back. He has a rather large nose, a small mouth, and a sad expression on his face. His wings are tucked together on his back and are not visible from his front. The word “AVE” (“Hail”) is engraved on one face of the truncated column. This is a companion piece to the bust of the Virgin that is displayed nearby.
Long Gallery
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.