Bust of Michele d'Aste 1638 - 1643

Giuliano Finelli completed this marble bust of Michele d'Aste in the 17th century. At almost a meter high, the sculpture would have been an imposing presence. Finelli was celebrated for his virtuosity in carving marble. Note the incredibly lifelike qualities of the face, in contrast to the stylized folds of drapery across the sitter's shoulders. To achieve this level of detail, Finelli employed a range of specialized tools, from rasps and chisels to drills, and would have spent countless hours on the finishing and polishing. Consider the social context here: marble sculpture in this period was the preserve of the wealthy elite. Commissioning a portrait bust was a way of demonstrating status and power. And let's not forget the labor involved, from quarrying the stone to its transportation and carving. This bust invites us to consider the hierarchies of labor, value, and representation that underpinned artistic production in the 1600s. By attending to material and making, we gain insight into the broader context that shapes the artwork.