Francesco Messina (1900-1995) - Laura

An artwork of absolute value, a true investment for the international high-end art market. This magnificent bronze patinated 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 20th century. Messina’s works are housed in prestigious institutions around the world, including the Vatican Museums, the Tate Modern, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). "Laura" presents an ethereal and melancholic portrait of a young woman enveloped in a dynamic and sumptuous drapery that flows fluidly over her shoulders, perfectly capturing Messina’s typical harmony between Renaissance classical geometry and modern emotional intensity. Displayed on an elegant dark pedestal, this sculpture asserts itself as a prestigious work for museum collections and luxury architectural interiors. Technical appraisal and details: Artistic quality and fusion: 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 plastic art. Materials and patina: solid high-quality bronze with a spectacular dark brown-green reflective patina that interacts magnificently under gallery 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 reflections. Signature: Present (engraved at the base or on the back of the casting). The work almost certainly falls within Artist’s Proofs or Hors Commerce (out-of-commerce) specimens produced by the foundry directly for the master, his collaborators, or for museum exhibitions. For the collector market, Artist’s Proofs carry exactly the same commercial value (if not sometimes higher due to their rarity) as the numbered copies of the standard edition. Foundry quality and casting: This high-end lost-wax bronze casting represents the flagship piece 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 complex depth of the dark green patina magnificently attest to the unmatched standards of the Milanese foundry from mid-century, an expression of the sculptural tradition.

The lot will be carefully packed and shipped with authorized couriers and online tracking. For this lot, shipping outside the European Community is not available."