'Beauty and Power': Rare bronze statuettes on display at Huntington Library

Bronze sculpture is one figurative art form that lends itself most naturally to raw renderings of human emotion. The deep, lustrous metal alloy has a range of surface qualities that, in the hands of a capable sculptor, can be used to express vivid pathos.

Just take a look at these powerful photos of some of the 28 bronze statuettes that comprise "Beauty and Power," a new exhibition at the Huntington Library.

Visitors to the exhibit are getting a rare look at Renaissance and Baroque bronzes from the private collection of New York architect Peter Marino.

Originating from Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands, the bronzes date back to between 1500 and the mid-18th century.

The exhibition opened at the Wallace Collection in London in April. Before that, most of the works never had been on public view.

The Huntington is the first venue in the exhibit's U.S. tour.