Renato Bertelli (1900-1974) after - Profilo Continuo del Duce

Rare reproduction of the celebrated 1933 masterpiece entitled “Continuous Profile of the Duce,” conceived by Italian sculptor Renato Bertelli (1900–1974), a prominent figure in the Italian Futurist movement. At first glance, it does not look like a conventional bust, but a closer look reveals, to the viewer’s amazement, Mussolini’s distinctive profile on every side of the work, thanks to its pronounced jawline. This is why the work is called “Continuous Profile of the Duce”: the profile remains recognizable through 360 degrees, whether viewed from the left, right, front, or back. Innovative and decidedly ahead of its time, the design evokes mechanical aesthetics and was associated with the image of Mussolini as an interpreter of the working class and the machine. This unusual bust format was often interpreted as a symbol of the ever-present leader, constantly keeping watch over the country. Art critic Marco Moretti observed that the dynamic, sculptural quality of the continuous profile conveys, without rhetoric, the metaphor of an attentive and ever-present leader. The relationship between sculpture and photography is significant: renowned photographer Robert Mapplethorpe made a well-known photograph of this work, highlighting its compositional value in art photography. This rare and exclusive resin reproduction stands out for its appearance and quality; it is finished with a silver-effect patina and rests on a removable base. The resin piece is 14 cm tall and mounted on a black base 4 cm high, making the total height 18 cm; it is 11 cm wide and 11 cm deep, and weighs approximately 1.2 kg. It will be shipped promptly after purchase, with tracking and careful packaging.