Francesco Messina (1900-1995) - Laura

A work of absolute prestige, a true investment for the international market of high-end art. This magnificent patinated bronze bust, titled "Laura" (1985), is an original certified masterpiece by Francesco Messina (1900-1995), widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential masters of Italian figurative sculpture of the twentieth century. Messina’s works are housed in prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Vatican Museums, Tate Modern, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). "Laura" depicts an ethereal and melancholic portrait of a young woman wrapped in a dynamic and sumptuous drapery that moves fluidly over her shoulders, perfectly capturing the harmony typical of Messina between Renaissance classical geometry and modern emotional intensity. Displayed on an elegant dark pedestal, this sculpture stands as a prestigious piece for museum collections and luxury architectural interiors. Technical appraisal and details: Artistic quality and fusion: Superb lost-w wax bronze casting with exceptional definition. The subtle interaction between the smooth, delicate finish of the face skin and the heavy, structural folds of the cloak is a masterpiece of modern plastic art. Materials and patina: solid high-quality bronze with a spectacular dark brown-green patina that interacts magnificently under gallery lighting. Authenticity and edition: signed "Francesco Messina" and officially numbered from the exclusive limited edition of 149 specimens. Conditions: Excellent original patina intact and perfectly preserved, no destructive oxidation or scratches; the structural base is in excellent condition. Material: Bronze. Technique: Lost-wax casting. Era: 1985 (Twentieth Century). Color: Dark patinated bronze with green/brown reflections. Signature: Present (Incised at the base or on the back of the casting). The work is almost certainly within Artist’s Proofs or Hors Commerce (not for sale) specimens produced by the foundry directly for the master, his collaborators, or for museum exhibitions. For the collector’s market, Artist’s Proofs hold exactly the same commercial value (if sometimes higher due to rarity) as the numbered copies of the standard edition. Foundry quality and casting: This high-end lost-wax bronze casting represents the flagship work of the legendary Fonderia Artistica Battaglia of Milan, the historic elite foundry chosen by Francesco Messina for his greatest masterpieces and public monuments. The precision of cold chisel work and the intricate depth of the dark green patina brilliantly attest to the unparalleled standards of the mid-century Milanese foundry, an expression of sculptural tradition.

The lot will be carefully packed and shipped with affiliated couriers and online tracking. For this lot, no shipments outside the European Community are made.