Giuseppe Bessi was an Italian sculptor who was born in Volterra, Italy in 1857. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, where his professors included the sculptor Augusto Rivalta. After graduating, he returned to Volterra in 1872 and established a workshop where he specialized in statues and busts of alabaster, marble, and onyx. He also worked in bronze.

Bessi is considered one of the most important representatives of Italian salon sculpture. His works combine the forms of neoclassicism and Art Nouveau. He was also a skilled portraitist, and his busts of famous figures such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Joan of Arc, and Dante Alighieri are highly regarded.

Bessi served as director of the School of Art in Volterra from 1891 to 1910. He died in Volterra in 1922.

Bessi's works are exhibited in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the Metropolitan

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14 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A 19th century alabaster bust, 'Girl with laurel Wreath', after…

Alabaster Bust: "Girl with Laurel Wreath"

A 19th century alabaster bust, 'Girl with laurel Wreath', after Giuseppe Bessi, height 60 cm (including stand).

Giuseppe Bessi (1857-1922), Primavera, marble, the figure's…

"Primavera" by Giuseppe Bessi: Marble Sculpture with Stained Shawl

Giuseppe Bessi (1857-1922), Primavera, marble, the figure's shawl in grey marble with stained details, on a rectangular socle incised at title, signed to the back: Prof G. Bessi, 58 cm high

An Italian alabaster and quartz bust of Beatrice, by Professor…

Italian Alabaster Bust of Dante's Muse, Beatrice

An Italian alabaster and quartz bust of Beatrice, by Professor Giuseppe Bessi (1857-1922), Dante's muse with downcast eyes and wearing a diadem and coif, on rectangular plinth incised with title, signed to reverse. Height 37 cm, width 35 cm, depth 17 cm.…

Italian marble and alabaster bust of a maiden attributed to…

Italian Marble Maiden Bust by Giuseppe Bessi

Italian marble and alabaster bust of a maiden attributed to Prof. Giuseppe Bessi (1857-1922), signed to back, 44 cm wide, 53 cm high

Giuseppe Bessi, (1857-1922), Ruth, marble, bust length in…

Bessi's Ruth: Marble Bust with Contrasting Marbles

Giuseppe Bessi, (1857-1922), Ruth, marble, bust length in contrasting marbles, modelled wearing a cowl and a shawl on a integral rectangular socle inscribed with the subject's name, signed to the reverse, 43 cm high, 35 cm wide, 20 cm deep, dimensions: 43…

Italian alabaster lamp by Guisseppe Bessi (Italy 1857-1922)…

Guisseppe Bessi Alabaster Lamp

Italian alabaster lamp by Guisseppe Bessi (Italy 1857-1922) early, 20th century, green and orange alabaster of a lady resting upon a wall under a lamp signed on back, height 95 cm

Impressive Italian alabaster figural table lamp, by Giuseppe…

Italian Alabaster Dancer Table Lamp by G. Bessi

Impressive Italian alabaster figural table lamp, by Giuseppe Bessi (1857-1922), depicting a female dancer in pose, with flowing skirt and headband, incised Prof. G Bessi to back, with spherical globe mounted on a metal stand, resting on a marble base,…

Mid 19th century carved marble group bust figure of 'Mother and…

Embracing Love

Mid 19th century carved marble group bust figure of 'Mother and Daughter in Embrace' signed to rear Professor G. Bessi

19th century carved marble and stained alabaster bust entitled…

"Castellana" Marble Bust by G. Bessi

19th century carved marble and stained alabaster bust entitled 'Castellana' signed to the rear Professor G. Bessi

Italian marble and alabaster bust of a young woman after…

Mignon Bust by Giovanni Bessi

Italian marble and alabaster bust of a young woman after Giovanni Bessi (Italian 1857-1922), depicted with head slightly turned, on a pedestal inscribed 'Mignon,' incised signature to back, height 38 cm

Bessi, Giuseppe (Italian 1857-1922), 'Modestia.' incised…

"Modestia" by Giuseppe Bessi, Marble Sculpture

Bessi, Giuseppe (Italian 1857-1922), 'Modestia.' incised signature verso 'Prof. G Bessi', marble, height 38 cm

Professor Giuseppe Bessi (Italian, 1857-1922), marble bust of…

Renaissance Mona Lisa Bust by Bessi

Professor Giuseppe Bessi (Italian, 1857-1922), marble bust of Mona Lisa, c. 1900, wearing a purple agate Renaissance dress, signed 'Prof. G. Bessi, height 67 cm, approx. Weight 60 kg

A seven foot eight important and seminal marble figural lamp…

Seminal Italian Marble Figural Lamp by Giuseppe Bessi

A seven foot eight important and seminal marble figural lamp 'Sogno Di Sposa', sculpted by Professor Giuseppe Bessi (Italian 1857-1922), late 19th century, in various marbles; castellina, scaglione, bordiglio and agate, the outstretched semi robed figure…

Large Art Deco marble sculpture of a dancer, the semi-nude lady…

Art Deco Dancer Sculpture by G. Bessi

Large Art Deco marble sculpture of a dancer, the semi-nude lady standing on one foot upon a rouge marble rectangular base, signed 'Prof. G. Bessi', restored foot, height 73 cm width 47 cm depth 27 cm