Natale Maria Mongardi

Luigi Bienaimé (1795 - 1878)
1821, White marble

This marble bust by Bienaimé portrays Mongardi ten years before his death; it was one of the first works made independently by the sculptor from Carrara (who had a Flemish grandfather), after his arrival in Rome in 1818 on a scholarship from the Carrara Academy of Fine Arts. His personal style diluted the rigour characteristic of Thorvaldsen into more delicate, sentimental works, in which ancient mythological or religious subjects are framed in narrative episodes that often include beautiful young boys and girls. More rarely, Bienaimé devoted himself to portraits. The well-defined features of this officer of the papal army, Natale Mongardi - the prominent nose, full lips, and a decisive expression - form a striking contrast to the antique-style drapery which, in due homage to the classical model, ennobles the subject’s chest.