One of the Querini's Busts
Traditionally known as the Bravi, (heavies) referring to Francesco Querini’s infamous guards, the seven marble busts were attributed to Orazio Marinali. Recent critics now believe the busts to be the work of Michele Fabris known as L’Ongaro, one of the most important sculptors the Veneto in the second half of the seventeenth century. New identifications for the individual busts have also been proposed: philosophers, a young pupil and a pair of saints, Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist.Although there is no extant documentation for the commissioning of the busts we can connect them to Girolamo and Polo Querini and the Accademia dei Paragonisti, opened in 1684 in the Santa Maria Formosa palace and where, according to eighteenth century sources “le più nobili questioni erudite” [most noble and learned issues] were discussed.
One of the Querini's Busts
Traditionally known as the Bravi, (heavies) referring to Francesco Querini’s infamous guards, the seven marble busts were attributed to Orazio Marinali. Recent critics now believe the busts to be the work of Michele Fabris known as L’Ongaro, one of the most important sculptors the Veneto in the second half of the seventeenth century. New identifications for the individual busts have also been proposed: philosophers, a young pupil and a pair of saints, Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist.Although there is no extant documentation for the commissioning of the busts we can connect them to Girolamo and Polo Querini and the Accademia dei Paragonisti, opened in 1684 in the Santa Maria Formosa palace and where, according to eighteenth century sources “le più nobili questioni erudite” [most noble and learned issues] were discussed.