Fonderia Artistica Battaglia - Francesco Messina (1900-1995) - Sculpture, Laura - 36 cm - Patinated bronze - 1985

An artwork of absolute value, a genuine investment for the international market of high-end art. This magnificent patinated bronze bust, titled "Laura" (1985), is a certified original masterpiece by Francesco Messina (1900-1995), widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential masters of Italian figurative sculpture of the 20th 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 Messina's characteristic harmony between Renaissance classical geometry and modern emotional intensity. Displayed on an elegant dark pedestal, this sculpture commands attention as a prestigious work for museum collections and luxury architectural interiors. Technical assessment and details: Artistic quality and casting: Superb lost-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 sculptural art. Materials and patina: high-quality solid bronze with a spectacular dark brown-green reflective patina that interacts magnificently under gallery-focused lighting. Authenticity and edition: signed "Francesco Messina" and officially numbered from the exclusive limited edition of 149 pieces. 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 (20th Century). Color: dark patinated bronze with green/brown highlights. Signature: Present (engraved at the base or on the back of the casting). The work almost certainly falls into Artist's Proofs or Hors Commerce (not for sale) editions produced by the foundry directly for the master, his collaborators, or for museum exhibitions. For the collectors market, Artist's Proofs have the same commercial value (if not sometimes higher due to rarity) as the numbered copies of the standard edition. Foundry and casting quality: 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-work engraving and the complex depth of the dark green patina magnificently attest to the unparalleled standards of the Milanese foundry of mid-century, expression of sculptural tradition. The lot will be carefully packed and shipped with affiliated couriers and online tracking. For this lot, shipments outside the European Community are not made.