Oak Tree Housing Wood Pecker

Richard Tepe

Undated

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This terracotta is a nearly life sized bust of the aging sitter. He wears the doge's official "corno ducale," with its jeweled rim and brocaded bonnet. Beneath the hat is a thin cap, carefully modeled over the ears. His garment is also brocaded, with a crimped collar. The Doge's face is lined with incised wrinkles, and modeled to give the appearance of sagging skin. The cornea and retina are also incised.
On the bank of a river, boats line the water's edge. Elephants stand on the right. People are scattered throughout the composition. In the background stands the ruins of a fortress.
Two police officers stand over the bed of a young man with a surprised expression. Other men rise from their beds with various expressions.
A botanical print depicting a plant with orange flowers and multiple spikey leaves. In the upper left and right are smaller depictions of two different plants with blue flowers and multiple long, smooth leaves.