Childhood games
![Vincenzo Vela
Mantelpiece mirror
1865-66, marble](/vela/en/home/sammlungen/the-plaster-cast-collection/the-sculpture-as-genre-work/_jcr_content/par/image/image.imagespooler.jpg/1544042502236/564.1000/0416-1_specchierapercaminor.png)
In what was the villa's drawing room – in which the female nudes on either side of the fireplace demonstrate the master's extraordinary skill in working marble – an attempt has been made to bring together examples of the genre work of the two sculptor brothers, Lorenzo (1812-97) and Vincenzo (1820-91). The latter’s production was what is referred to as "genre portraiture", which is highly suited to a natural and engaging representation of childhood. His older brother focused instead on genre sculpture as it is traditionally understood, in which he succeeded in articulating a charming and, with regard to the modelling, an inventive, anecdotal form of expression, often resorting to his favourite theme, the world of animals.
![Portrait of the Young Contessa Leopoldina d'Adda with a Dog
1852-54
plaster, original model](/vela/en/home/sammlungen/the-plaster-cast-collection/the-sculpture-as-genre-work/_jcr_content/par/textimage/image.imagespooler.jpg/1544042502211/258.1000/0416-2_contessinaconcaner.png)
A highly refined example of child portraiture, this is the young daughter of Marchese Carlo d'Adda and Mariquita Falcò in an enchanting genre scene, accompanied by her dog - a well-tried formula in coeval painting. In the middle decade of the century this was a successful combination for Vincenzo Vela. The rendition of the details is masterful without becoming affected, as the freshness and spontaneity of the modelling are skilfully combined with a masterful composition. The sculptor's constant ability to translate the formal lessons of the past into fashionable representations - making use of "contemporary" themes - was one of Vela's great gifts.
Marble, 1852-54, Venice, private collection
The work Three Bathers was supposed to be a life-size group portrait of the three daughters of Marchese Ala Ponzone, who are seen on the bank of a pool, on the point of entering the water.
This attractive and natural plaster model revolves around the skilful and carefully proportioned arrangement of the young girls' bodies. However, a marble copy was never made of the model, due to a misunderstanding between the artist and his client.
Unexecuted work
![Vincenzo Vela
Three Bathers. Portrait of the Daughters of Marchese Ala Ponzone
1863, plaster, original model](/vela/en/home/sammlungen/the-plaster-cast-collection/the-sculpture-as-genre-work/_jcr_content/par/image_1784979831/image.imagespooler.jpg/1544042502164/258.1000/0416-3_tre_bagnantir.png)