Bust of Giovanni Battista de Luca 1650 - 1674

Bernardo Fioriti carved this marble bust of Giovanni Battista de Luca in seventeenth-century Italy. De Luca was a famous legal consultant, canonist, and cardinal. The bust is an example of Baroque sculpture which was often commissioned by wealthy patrons. The goal of baroque sculpture was to depict movement and emotion in a realistic manner. Baroque sculpture also often celebrated important figures, and the busts were often placed in public spaces for all to admire. This particular bust creates meaning through its realism and grandeur. It also makes a statement about the social structures of its time, as the bust was clearly made to honor a powerful figure. To better understand this artwork, historians might consult primary sources such as letters, diaries, and legal documents from the period. It is through examining these resources that we can better understand the social and institutional context of this artwork.