Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Ludovisi Saint Peter

Attributed to Bastiano Torrigiani (head, hands and feet)

Date

2nd century (marble body); c. 1590 (gilt bronze head, hands and feet; throne)

Medium

Greek cipollino marble, rosso variegato marble, gilt bronze

Department

European Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This sculpture originally represented a philosopher or a god, and was transformed into St. Peter in the late 16th century by adding the expressive head, hands, and feet in gilt bronze, and a throne. An unknown Roman sculptor carved it out of rare Greek cipollino (onion-like) marble, using the layers of different colors to emphasize the forms and movement of the body. This prized masterpiece was part of the Ludovisi collection in Rome, where it had been displayed in the same room as Bernini's Pluto and Proserpina since 1623. Italy, Europe

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