Adoring Angel, Altar of the Holy Body

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Adoring Angel, Altar of the Holy Body
3D Model

  • Type of object:Marble sculpture
  • Measurements (H/W/D):174.5 cm / 64 cm / 48 cm
  • Materials & Techniques:

    Marble / hand-carved, sculpted

  • Inscriptions & Markings:

  • Date or Period:

    1740-1750 / Baroque period

  • Maker:Robba, Francesco (1698 - 1757)
  • Subject:

    A marble sculpture of an angel

  • Title:Adoring Angel, Altar of the Holy Body
  • Distinguishing Features:

    Binding material is visible between the sculpture and the pedestal, indicating that the entire block between them consists of this material. Traces of binding material are visible along the brim of the drapery below the figure’s right knee. A small hole is visible on the lower inner part of the drapery, behind the heel of the left foot. Binding material is visible at the junction where the right and left wings are attached to the figure’s body and around the thumbs of both the right and left hands. A fissure or possible restoration line is visible on the top of the figure’s head, suggesting that this section may have been re-attached or reconstructed. There is a small head at the top of the figure’s head.

A marble sculpture of an angel sculpted by the Baroque sculptor Francesco Robba (1698 – 1757) between 1740 and 1750 for the Altar of the Holy Body in St Nicholas’ Cathedral in Ljubljana. The angel is kneeling on a cloud with his right leg and his left leg is stretched backwards. His upper body is tilted to his right; his head is tilted to his left and slightly backwards. He is holding his hands in front of his chest in a prayer-like gesture. He is wrapped in a rich, folded drapery covering his right shoulder, his body, his left upper arm, flowing behind his back, falling across his thighs and gathering between his legs. He is wearing laced-up sandals that fasten around the ankles. His wings are spread. He has short, curly hair.

A handheld structured-light 3D scanner Artec Leo. The instrument quotes the following specifications: 3D point accuracy: up to 0.1 mm. 3D accuracy over distance: up to 0.1 mm + 0.3 mm/m. Working distance: 0.35 – 1.2 m. Linear field of view, H×W @ closest range: 244 × 142 mm. Linear field of view, H×W @ furthest range: 838 × 488 mm. Ability to use Photo Texture. Texture resolution: 2.3 MP. Colors: 24 bpp. 3D structured-light source: VCSEL.

  • Object ID No.:

  • Related Written Material:

    Klemenčič, M., Francesco Robba (1698–1757). Beneški kipar in arhitekt v baročni Ljubljani, Ljubljana, 2013. Klemenčič, Matej, Miran Kambič, and Francesco Robba. Francesco Robba in beneško baročno kiparstvo v Ljubljani:[15. october 1998-6. januar 1999]. Narodna galerija, 1998. Höfler, Janez, et al., eds. Francesco Robba in beneško kiparstvo 18. stoletja: Zbornik predavanj mednarodnega simpozija, Ljubljana, 16.-18. oktober 1998. Rokus, 2000.

  • Place of Origin/Discovery:

    St Nicholas’ Cathedral, Ljubljana (Slovenia)

  • Cross Reference to Related Objects:

    There is another angel on the on the left side of the altar.

  • Date Documented:

    2025-08-29