Neptune
pietro bracci (1700 – 1773)
Explore the masterful Baroque sculptures of Pietro Bracci – Oceanus at Trevi Fountain & poignant tombs of Popes & Stuart claimants. Discover Roman art history.
Piazza di Trevi (Rome, Italy)
Discover the Trevi Fountain's Baroque splendor! Witness Oceanus’ majesty, ancient roots, artistic transformations & the iconic coin toss tradition – a Roman masterpiece awaits.
Introduction
Pietro Bracci was an Italian sculptor working in the Late Baroque manner. He is best known for carving the marble sculpture of Oceanus at the center of Rome's Trevi Fountain, based on a plaster modello by Giovanni Battista Maini. In this article, we will explore the artist, the title of the work, the medium used, and its location.Artist: Pietro Bracci
Pietro Bracci was born in Rome and became a student of Giuseppe Bartolomeo Chiari and Camillo Rusconi. His most familiar works are the colossal Oceanus or Neptune of the Trevi Fountain, Rome, after a modello by Giovanni Battista Maini, and four prominent tomb monuments in Rome. He sculpted the figures for the tomb of Benedict XIII (1734) in Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome, which was designed by the architect Carlo Marchionni, and for the tomb of Benedict XIV (1763–1770) in the Basilica of Saint Peter, completed with the help of his pupil Gaspare Sibilia.Title of the Work: Oceanus or Neptune
The title of the work is Oceanus or Neptune, which is located at the center of Rome's Trevi Fountain. The sculpture was created after a plaster modello by Giovanni Battista Maini, who died before he could execute the marble. Bracci executed the Oceanus and the tritons when he took over work on the fountain.Medium Used: Marble
The medium used for this masterpiece is marble, which was a popular choice for sculptors during the Baroque period due to its durability and ability to capture fine details. The use of marble in this work highlights Bracci's exceptional skills as a sculptor.Location: Trevi Fountain, Rome
The location of this magnificent sculpture is at the center of Rome's Trevi Fountain, which is one of the most famous fountains in the world. The fountain was built in front of Luigi Vanvitelli’s Palazzo Poli and attracts millions of visitors each year.Conclusion
Pietro Bracci's Oceanus or Neptune is a masterpiece that showcases the artist's exceptional skills as a sculptor. The use of marble, the medium used, adds to the beauty and durability of this work. Visitors to Rome can admire this magnificent sculpture at the Trevi Fountain, which is one of the city's most famous landmarks.Related Links
About this artwork
- Title: Neptune
- Artist: pietro bracci
- Copyright status: Public domain
- Where to see it: Piazza di Trevi
- Period: Early Modern
- Creative period: Late Baroque
- Corpus context: roman gods , sculpture legacy
- Purpose: Accent
- Keywords: roman fountain art , marble god decor , bronze sea god print
Quick Facts
- Medium: Marble
- Movement: Baroque
- Artistic style: Classical
- Location: Trevi Fountain, Rome
- Influences: Giovanni Battista Maini
- Subject or theme: Mythology
- Title: Neptune


