Theresa Concordia Mengs was the daughter of the Dresden court painter Ismael Israel Mengs (1688–1764), who had converted to Protestantism before her birth, and the elder sister of the renowned artist Anton Raphael Mengs. She spent most of her life in Rome and was known for her miniature portraits in pastel and paint on enamel, as well as miniature copies after Renaissance masters. Mengs also worked in Dresden as court painter to the Electors of Saxony. She was elected a member of the Accademia di San Luca in Rome in 1765.
This bull figurine, 7 × 5 inches (17.5 cm × 12 cm), was cast in bronze with considerable detail. It combines highly realistic features—horns and ears, genitalia, legs and hooves—with more stylized…
Like a wooer and a husbandI devote myself to your faithsince being a husband does not implya courtly surrender.Like a wooer I pursue your lovebecause I wish to meritthe privileges of a husbandthough I…