Lot 142: Aristodemo Costoli, Italian (1803-1871) A white marble bust of Galileo

his head inclined slightly to the right, with reticulated eyes, dignified features, furrowed brow and thick wavy beard, wearing a cloak and tunic with broad collar, signed to back Aristodemo Costoli Firenze 1866. 64.5cm wide, 62.5cm high (25.5" wide and 24.5" high)

Born in Florence, Costoli entered the Accademia di Belle Arti e Liceo Artistico at the age of twelve and studied sculpture under Stefano Ricci. In 1842 he produced two statues of Galileo Galilei for the city's Museo della Specola. In 1850 Costoli succeeded Bartolini (whose assistant he had been) as Professor of Sculpture at the Accademia. This example is among the last works of his career, as his piece Angelica Catalani dates from 1867.