Forging Authenticity

Giovanni Bastianini (1830-1868) was a Florentine sculptor whose creations answered to the growing demand for Renaissance and Renaissance-like works of art during the second half of the 19th century. Arguably the most infamous and gifted imitator/faker of Italian Renaissance sculpture, he became a subject of great controversy during his lifetime that continues to this day.

This book examines Bastianini's total oeuvre, exploring the differences between his pseudo-Renaissance and his contemporary 'period' style. At the same time, it places him firmly within the economic, political and cultural context that encouraged the production of neo-Renaissance art, which found a ready market in both Europe and the New World. The book will be of great interest not only to scholars of Italian Renaissance and nineteenth-century sculpture attempting to sort out the authentic from works of questionable attribution, but also to those engaged in the history of taste and the conditions surrounding the Risorgimento that promoted the creation and acquisition of Renaissance art and artifacts in both Europe and the New World during the latter part of the nineteenth century.

Giovanni Bastianini (1830-1868) a fost un sculptor florentin ale carui creatii au raspuns cererii tot mai mari de opere de arta renascentiste si renascentiste din a doua jumatate a secolului al XIX-lea. Probabil cel mai infam si mai talentat imitator / falsificator al sculpturii renascentiste italiene, el a devenit un subiect de mari controverse in timpul vietii sale care continua pana in prezent. Aceasta carte examineaza opera totala a lui Bastianini, explorand diferentele dintre pseudo-Renasterea si perioada sa contemporana. 'stil.