Diva Faustina 15th century

This is Diva Faustina, carved in Florence by Mino da Fiesole. The artist worked in marble, a stone prized for its purity and capacity to take a fine polish. Consider the processes involved in the creation of this relief. The artist would have begun by selecting a block of marble from a quarry, a process that required considerable expertise. He then used a variety of tools, including chisels, rasps, and drills, to gradually remove the excess stone and reveal the figure within. The surface was then polished to bring out the natural beauty of the marble, enhancing the contrast between light and shadow. The choice of marble gives the sculpture a sense of permanence and monumentality, associating the sitter with the classical world. The labor invested in its creation speaks to the value placed on artistic skill in Renaissance Florence. This wasn't just art; it was a demonstration of mastery over material, and a statement of cultural values.