Lime wood high relief - A. Dal Santo - Italy 1940s

Splendid high relief in lime wood depicting a battle in which the Roman army is deployed and, cheered by the crowd, is gaining the upper hand against the opposing army which instead is retreating, leaving dead and wounded on the field. In the background there are city walls and some architecture. The work was sculpted by Antonio Dal Santo, known as 'il Barbaro', an artist from Vicenza born at the end of the 19th century, who grew up as a carver at Dalla Vecchia's atelier, a renowned sacred art workshop. The high relief presents great dynamism and richness of detail, done with great skill and attention. The frame that completes it is in ebonized durmast wood, engraved with a floral motif.