Pair of Batacchi (Doorknocker) with Nude

(Italian (Paduan/Venetian School), 1565-1607)
circa 1595-1600  
cast bronze with medium brown patination

During the Renaissance many intact Etruscan and Roman sculptures were discovered. They were collected, studied and enjoyed by Renaissance humanists and served as prototypes for Renaissance artists. Tiziano Aspetti was a leading sculptor in Padua and Venice, major centers for small bronze production. Aspetti imitated the classical style so well that he was employed by the Venetian collector Giovanni Grimani to restore his collection of ancient sculptures. These two doorknockers (batacchi) from the portal of a palazzo show a nude Venus with dolphins and putti−a popular classicizing motif in Venice.