Winged Boy with Hands Raised
mid 15th century
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
overall: 10.5 x 5.9 x 3.6 cm (4 1/8 x 2 5/16 x 1 7/16 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Department
CSD
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Accession Number
1957.14.38
Art Historical Context
This charming bronze sculpture, created in mid-15th-century Florence, captures a winged boy with hands raised in a lively, expressive pose. Attributed simply to a Florentine artist of the period, the work reflects the Early Renaissance revival of classical motifs, where putti—playful winged figures inspired by ancient Roman art—became popular symbols of innocence, joy, and divine presence in both religious and secular contexts. Measuring just over four inches tall, the piece highlights the technical mastery of bronze casting, a medium prized in Florence for its ability to render fine details ...