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- Giovanni Maria Benzoni
- Italian, 1809-1873
- "Young Girl and Her Dog, or La Riconoscenza (Gratitude)"
- Marble
- Sculpture: 30 inches high, 20-21 inches wide, 14 ½ inches deep With Base: 65 ½ inches high, 23 inches wide, 24-25 inches deep
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Provenance: De-accessioned from the MSPCA-Angell Donated to the MSPCA in memory of Robert C. Hooper (1805-1869) and Adeline Denney Ripley Hooper by their grandchildren circa 1869-1911. Giovanni Maria Benzoni was born near Bergamo, Italy. He studied with Giuseppe Fabris at the Accademia di San Luca in Rome where he eventually set up his own shop. A technically skilled, neo-classical sculptor, Benzoni adopted the mantle of the 18th century masters by taking on complex compositions. While these compositions were certainly meant to attract and entertain the viewer they were also chosen for the challenge they would offer him in attempting to model and carve them. Benzoni often chose subjects that presented unusual textural challenges. This would include sheepskins, clothing and in this case, the fur of a dog. Benzoni is a particularly favorite sculptor of ours as his works have a grace and virtuosity of expression that take a sophisticated eye to appreciate. Many of his 19th century counterparts would seem awkward and over-stylized if presented next to a work by Benzoni. In this work, even the view from behind demonstrates exquisite interpretation of the child’s body. The curves from behind in the child’s shoulder, back and foot to the diagonal positioning of the dog, create a rhythm and demonstrate his understanding of beauty in movement, which elevates Benzoni as an artist amongst his counterparts. From the front, the expression on the child’s face is one of restrained, as he chooses to keep it classical rather than childishly expressive. In its day, the surface of this marble was probably quite exceptional, which would have enhanced the subtleties of his ability to do flesh and musculature. And last, Benzoni has a way with hair and particularly that of his female figures that lends a charm to his women which is irresistible. Robert C. Hooper was born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, the grandson of "King" Hooper, a well known merchant. Robert Hooper was educated at Phillips Academy and graduated with Harvard's Class of 1822. After graduation he traveled the world on his father’s ships. Robert Hooper made his fortune building and selling ships, and by trading sugar and other commodities in Boston. He also traded on and owned a share of Central Wharf and constructed Constitution Wharf. Captain Hooper built his grand home “Oakland”, an Italianate, cupola topped mansion on or near the site of the present St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church. This 20 acre estate in Dorchester was at the corner of Hartford and Lingard Street and was also bounded by Dudley Street. In 1869, the year of his death, Hooper ranked among Dorchester’s wealthiest men with his house alone valued at $40,000.00. Between 1870 and 1911, Hooper’s heirs gradually subdivided his estate which covered a sizeable percentage of the Dudley Triangle area.” Captain Hooper is also credited with breeding the Boston Terrier (or Boston Bull) when he purchased a dog known as Hooper's Judge, a cross between an English Bulldog and an English White Terrier. (http://www.dorchesteratheneum.org/page.php?id=619) According to Cory Berry-Whitlock of The MSPACA (The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) it is conceivable that The MSPCA was gifted the statue on January 11th, 1911 when Hooper’s estate was carved up for homes and St. Paul's Church. Alternatively the MSPCA could have received the sculpture anywhere after Mr. Hooper’s death in 1869 since it was donated by his grandchildren. Unfortunately the records and archives of the MSPCA that dated to the MSPCA’s founding 141 years ago were partially destroyed by an electrical fire during the summer of 2008 so any exact date as to when the sculpture was donated is not possible to determine at this time.