Igor Mitoraj — Centurione Series
The Centurione series is among the most recognisable works in Igor Mitoraj's bronze catalogue. Created across the mid-1980s, these partial heads of Roman soldiers — their faces crossed by a horizontal band concealing the eyes — have become emblematic of Mitoraj's fusion of classical authority and postmodern mystery. If you own a Centurione and are considering selling, I am actively buying directly and privately.
About the Centurione Series
The Centurione bronzes were conceived in the period when Mitoraj's studio in Pietrasanta was at the height of its activity. Drawing on imagery of Roman imperial portraiture, Mitoraj took the fragment — the head already severed from the body — and introduced a further act of concealment: a band cutting across the eyes, rendering the soldier simultaneously commanding and blinded. The patina varies between editions: some are dark brown-black, others carry the greenish oxide of age, and a third variant was cast with a gilt golden finish.
Three principal editions are known in specialist circles:
Centurione I — 1987
Centurione I, dating to 1987 — notably issued after Centurione II (1986) — shows, shows the head with a more pronounced cheekbone structure and a broader horizontal band. The dark patina and the characteristic Pietrasanta foundry mark appear at the base of the neck. Many examples circulate without their original base — the sculpture stands equally well on travertine or black marble.
Centurione II — 1986
The more widely encountered edition, Centurione II, was cast in 1986. The face is slightly more frontal in orientation, and the band is shallower, exposing the upper brow. Some examples carry a coin medallion detail at the side of the neck — a classical cameo embedded into the bronze, referencing Mitoraj's interest in the numismatic tradition. Signed on the lower neck: MITORAJ.
Centurione III — Large Format
Larger format Centurione castings were produced in much smaller editions for gallery and institutional clients. These are considerably rarer and command significantly higher prices at auction. If you own a large-format Centurione, please do not hesitate to contact me — I have a particular interest in these pieces.
Current Auction Prices for Mitoraj Centurione
Recent auction results give a reliable picture of current market values. Small editions (18–22 cm) in good condition with original signature have sold between and at houses including Artcurial, Millon, Aguttes, and Hampel in the past two years. Condition, the presence of an original base, and whether the piece is accompanied by any certificate of authenticity from the Atelier all influence final price.
Do You Own a Centurione by Mitoraj?
I am actively seeking all Centurione editions — I and II in any condition, and larger formats in particular. There is no obligation to sell: if you are simply curious about the value of what you own, I am happy to give you a frank and informed assessment. My response is personal, prompt, and entirely private.
Collection Photographs — Centurione Series
Centurione in Public Collections & Cities
The Centurione series exists in both intimate tabletop scale and monumental public format. The most celebrated large-format Centurione stands permanently in Bamberg, Germany — a UNESCO World Heritage city whose mediaeval streets provide a striking contrast with the post-classical bronze. In London's Canary Wharf, a monumental Centurione I stands permanently alongside Testa Addormentata and Centauro, making it one of the densest concentrations of Mitoraj's public work outside Italy.
At La Défense in Paris, a large Centurione has stood since 2000 in front of the Tour Fiat — one of four major Mitoraj works in the French capital's modernist business district. These monumental commissions demonstrate how the Centurione motif scales: from a 19 cm bronze on a marble base to a bronze head over a metre tall, the compositional language is identical.
Authenticating a Centurione Bronze
Genuine Centurione examples carry several consistent features. The signature MITORAJ is incised or stamped at the base of the neck — never on the back of the head or on the base itself. The edition number is stamped on the reverse of the neck, formatted as a numeral followed by the total edition (e.g. 182/250 for Centurione I, or 615/1500 for Centurione II). Foundry marks from either the Fonderia Venturi Arte, Bologna (for the earlier casts) or the Del Chiaro foundry, Pietrasanta appear on some examples. Certificates of authenticity from the Atelier Mitoraj in Pietrasanta provide the strongest provenance, though many genuine examples circulate without them — the foundry mark and signature are sufficient for authentication in the major auction houses.
Be cautious of examples where the signature appears cast rather than incised, or where the edition number format differs from the standard. I am familiar with both series across hundreds of auction records and can advise on any specific example you may own.
Condition & Value Factors
Centurione bronzes in circulation vary considerably in condition. The most common issue is surface cleaning — overzealous polishing removes the original dark patina and leaves the bronze with an uncharacteristic sheen. This is difficult to reverse and meaningfully reduces value. Original dark or verde patina in stable condition is always preferable. The presence of the original base (typically black marble or travertine for Centurione I, plain marble for Centurione II) adds to the value. The coin medallion detail, where present, does not affect price. Signed and numbered examples in original patina with original base achieve the top of the auction range consistently.
Sell Your Mitoraj Centurione
Send me a photograph and a brief description. I reply within 24 hours.
Contact Me DirectlyRelated Searches
Collectors and sellers looking for information on the Centurione series also search for: Mitoraj bronze sculptures, Centurione II specifically, Mitoraj auction prices, and Mitoraj Tête Secrète — another bandaged head series with strong collector demand.
See also: Mitoraj Centurione in Bamberg · Centurione II · All bronzes wanted · Mitoraj auction context · Tête Secrète
Centurione — Mitoraj's Iconic Roman Warrior
Centurione is among Mitoraj's most recognisable subjects: a Roman warrior's head and torso, fractured and partially buried as if exhumed after millennia. The monumental version Centurione I stands permanently at Canary Wharf, London, and a second large cast was installed in Bamberg, Germany. Smaller bronze editions (typically 50–70 cm) have appeared regularly at European auction houses and command strong prices. The work distils Mitoraj's core artistic idea — that classical civilisation persists in ruin, simultaneously triumphant and wounded — and is consequently one of the most sought-after subjects among collectors who wish to represent his practice at its most emblematic.