Ringling Sculpture: Articles

The Ringling Art Museum and School. (1931). The American Magazine of Art, 23(4), 337.

• This short magazine article discusses the Ringling Art Museum when it first opened and some of the architectural features. The author of the text describes some of the sculpture and features within the courtyard as well as the sculpture ornamenting the building such as the caryatids and the sculpture lining the roof.

Ostrow, S. (2018). Pietro Tacca’s Fontane dei Mostri Marini: Collecting copies at the end of the Gilded Age. Journal of the History of Collections, 30(1), 91-111.

• This source provides good information on the Chiurazzi and the production of copies. Ostrow gives a detailed account of the history of the Chiurazzi Foundry. The increase in 19^th century quality reproductions of both ancient and early modern European sculpture is discussed to an extent.

Heinrich, A. (2013). Cherubs or Putti? Gravemarkers Demonstrating Conspicuous Consumption and the Rococo Fashion in the Eighteenth Century. International Journal of Historical Archaeology, 18(1), 37-64. DOI 10.1007/s10761-013-0246-x.

• This source discusses cherubs and putti as symbols and how the Rococo was the main influence on decorative forms in contemporary material culture in which cherubs or putto are no longer interpreted as religious iconography but are instead viewed as whimsical decorative elements. This source can be consulted on information on putto as The Ringling grounds displays many putti sculptures.

Brownlee, A. B., & Makowsky, L. (2015). “...VERY BEST INSPIRATIONS OF THE PAST.” Expedition, 57(1), 43–47.

• This article provides information on the bronze reproductions donated to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology by John Wanamaker. This source contains information on the construction of the bronzes made by the Chiurazzi Foundry.

Many of the gardens at The Ringling are reminiscent of 18th century Italian gardens. This source details the aspects of Italian Renaissance gardens and villas in which sculpture is an essential component. This source provides information on the importance and role of sculptures in Italian gardens as well.