France, made in Genoa, 17th century / 1663–1668
Study for The Blessed Alessandro Sauli
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Study for The Blessed Alessandro Sauli as sculpture (France, made in Genoa, 17th century · 1663–1668).
Terracotta models, like this study for a sculpture, are also known as bozzetti or modelli .
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as terracotta and credits Pierre Puget (French, 1620–1694).
The museum's collection notes: A famous preacher from an aristocratic family in Genoa, Sauli (1534-1591) spearheaded important Catholic reforms, including popular missions and restructuring the church to reach a broader spectrum of worshippers. This sculpture is a model for a large statue commissioned by the Sauli family for a Genoese church. Although the open book speaks to Sauli’s work as a reformer, his twisting body and facial expression indicate utter absorption in a deeply personal vision.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtStudy for The Blessed Alessandro SauliOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.