Portrait of Benedetto Pistrucci 1845 - 1855

"Portrait of Benedetto Pistrucci" is a cameo portrait by Maria Elisa Pistrucci, created between 1845 and 1855. The cameo is carved from a layered gemstone with the subject's profile cut into the white layer, revealing the brown background. The subject, Benedetto Pistrucci, was a renowned Italian engraver and medalist, making this a portrait of an artist by another artist. It's a small-scale artwork, typical of cameo portraits, measuring only 3.9 x 3.3 x 0.7 cm. This delicate piece, currently residing in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the artistry of 19th-century cameo carving, and offers a glimpse into the life of a prominent figure in the world of art.