Pietro Tenerani (1789-1869)

Following the French Revolution, a new generation of European sculptors descended on Rome to seek their fortunes. Among them were Rudolph Schadow, John Gibson, Adamo Tadolini and Pietro Tenerani, all of whom encountered a city and a market dominated by the masters Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen. Tenerani apprenticed with his uncle Pietro Marchetti from whom he learned how to polish and finish marbles. Upon winning a scholarship in 1815, Tenerani entered the studio of Bertel Thorvaldsen in Rome where he further honed his skills. He became a member and professor of the Accademia di San Luca and was later elected president, as well as becoming Director of the Capitoline Museums. Among Tenerani’s illustrious patrons were William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire, Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria, Queen Victoria and Pope Pius IX. Tenerani’s Psyche was sold in these rooms in 11 December 2019, lot 12, for £275,000.

The present bust has traditionally been identified as being a portrait of the infant Princess Maria Franziska von Liechtenstein. Another version, signed and dated: P. Tenerani F. 1837 is in the Liechteinstein collects ion in Vienna (inv. no. SK643), where it is documented as early as 1841.

RELATED LITERATURE

S. Grandesso, Pietro Tenerani (1789-1869), Milan, 2003