"Phryne": A Gorgeous Bronze by Falguiere

19th century

Sold by Quiet Street Antiques of Bath

Description

A truly gorgeous and rare BRONZE SCULPTURE of “Phryne” by the renowned painter and sculptor: Alexandre Falguière. She stands demurely naked, wearing simple sandals and a necklace, her hair braided with a bun. “Phryne” was a noted courtesan in Athens during the 4th century BC. She was known for her beauty, wit and intelligence and having escaped her serfdom, she ultimately became one of the wealthiest women of her time. Very fine condition with a beautiful light/mid brown patination. Engraved signature (“Falguiere”) to the top of the base and further engraved around the edge: “Goupil a Cie, Editeurs”. 15.5ins high.

** Jean Alexandre Joseph FALGUIERE (1831-1900) was a French painter and sculptor. He was a student of François Jouffroy in Paris and the Ecole des Beaux Arts following which he lived in Rome from 1860-1867. In 1864 he won First Prize at the Paris Salon, which marked a turning point in his career. Many public commissions followed including “Triumph of the Republic” which can be seen on the Arc de Triomphe.

*** This work is based on a painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme which was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1861. Gérôme’s brother-in-law Goupil, who was an art dealer and founder (note the “editeur” signature on the base) commissioned Falguière to create a sculptural representation of the main subject in the painting: “Phryne before the Areopagus” . This painting currently can be viewed at the Kunsthälle, one of the largest Art Museums in Germany. (See additional image).

Physical Dimensions

Height

38cm (14.96")

Width

14cm (5.51")

Depth

11.5cm (4.53")

Declaration

Quiet Street Antiques of Bath has dated this piece to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA773354

Dealers Internal Reference

5091/k

Dealers Notes

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Description

“

She was known for her beauty, wit and intelligence and having escaped her serfdom, she ultimately became one of the wealthiest women of her time.

Quiet Street Antiques of Bath

Very fine condition with a beautiful light/mid brown patination. Engraved signature (“Falguiere”) to the top of the base and further engraved around the edge: “Goupil a Cie, Editeurs”. 15.5ins high.

fig 1. "Phryne": A Gorgeous Bronze by Falguiere

Jean Alexandre Joseph FALGUIERE (1831-1900) was a French painter and sculptor. He was a student of François Jouffroy in Paris and the Ecole des Beaux Arts following which he lived in Rome from 1860-1867. In 1864 he won First Prize at the Paris Salon, which marked a turning point in his career. Many public commissions followed including “Triumph of the Republic” which can be seen on the Arc de Triomphe.

fig 2. "Phryne": A Gorgeous Bronze by Falguiere

This work is based on a painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme which was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1861. Gérôme’s brother-in-law Goupil, who was an art dealer and founder (note the “editeur” signature on the base) commissioned Falguière to create a sculptural representation of the main subject in the painting: “Phryne before the Areopagus” . This painting currently can be viewed at the Kunsthälle, one of the largest Art Museums in Germany. (See additional image).