Italian, Venice
Angel Gabriel, 19th century
Gilded copper alloy (with traces of green paint on the lilly), 165.1 cm (65 in.)
This tall sculpture of the Angel Gabriel is from Venice and made of gilded copper alloy. This gives the figure a golden shine, except for the feet, which rest on a golden pedestal. The lithe figure of Gabriel stands with his right arm raised and the index finger pointed upward. His left arm is bent in front of his body and holds a lily, which has traces of green paint. He wears a delicate garment with short sleeves and a lampshade-like cinch at the waist. His wings arch over his shoulders and he wears a crown with a peak over his forehead. His oval face, with a long narrow nose and open mouth, is tilted slightly to our right. His eyes are cast downward. There is a gaping hole in Gabriel’s chest.
Gothic Room
Commentary
The gilded image of the Archangel Gabriel perches high atop an orb in the southeast corner of the Gothic Room. Said to be from a church demolished by Napoleon, a historical figure of great interest to Isabella, this work was later struck by cannons during the Italian revolution of 1848. Perhaps intrigued by this tale, Isabella chose to display him with the gaping hole still clearly visible in his chest rather than having him restored.