Description
Opposing Pair of Bronze Figures
Form our Bronze Sculpture collection, we are delighted to offer this French opposing pair of Bronze Figures Allégorie du Printemps by Ferdinand Barbedienne. The good sized pair of Bronze Allegorical Groups figures cast after the originals by Antoine Coysevox (1640-1720). The Bronze Figures depict Printemps (Allegory of spring) with Flora and Cupid ( Flore et un Amour) and Hamadryad (Nymph of the Oak). The Flora figure grasps a floral swag outstretched in both hands seated in front of the winged cupid holding a floral wreath. The Hamadryad figure of similar stature with an outstretched hand leaning on the cut stump with oak vines beside a child (cherub). Both the bronze figure are signed A. Coysevox. F. 1710 and are cast after the originals by the world famous Barbedienne foundry. The Flora and Cupid figure is signed along side the Coysevox signature, F. Barbedienne Fondeur with the foundry stamp reduction mecanique A. Collas Brevette. The French Bronze Figures Allégorie du Printemps by Barbedienne date to the middle of the 19th century Circa 1850 and are a beautifully opposing pair meaning they face each other in a setting rather than being an identical copy ‘pair’.
The figures have had various names including two faces of love, Allégorie du Printemps, Allegory of spring, Printemps, Flora et l’Amour, Flora and Cupid, Flore (Flora), Flore et un Amour (Flora and Cupid), Flore et Zéphyr (Flora and Zephyr), Hamadryade et enfant (Hamadryad and infant) and Nymphe des forêts (Forest Nymph) but actually depict Flore and Hamadryad.
Reference
See the originals by Antoine Coysevox housed in The Louvre, Paris inventory number MR 1819 for Hamadryade et enfant and inventory number MR 1818 for Flore
Allegorie du printemps (Allegory of spring)
also known as Primavera is a large panel painting in tempera paint by the Italian Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli made in the late 1470s or early 1480s. The painting depicts a group of figures from classical mythology in a garden. The painting is believed to be an allegory based on the lush growth of Spring, but accounts of any precise meaning vary, though many involve the Renaissance Neoplatonism which then fascinated intellectual circles in Florence. The subject was first described as Primavera by the art historian Giorgio Vasari who saw it at Villa Castello, just outside Florence, by 1550. The painting is believed to depict the charities (three graces), Venus, Flora the goddess of flowers, Mercury, Chloris and Zephyrus.
Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892)
Born in Saint-Pierre-en-Auge, Northwestern France. Barbedienne began life as a wallpaper salesman before going into partnership with Achille Collas in 1838 the founder of a mechanical device capable of replicating miniature models of famous sculptures. From 1838 Barbedienne grew substantially to become one of the most well known French founders and sculptures of the 19th century. See our article Insight | Ferdinand Barbedienne and makers and retailers Ferdinand Barbedienne for further information.
Achille Collas (1795–1859)
Born in Paris, France. He was an a celebrated engineer, inventor, writer and engraver who developed a way of mechanically creating engravings and a machine to copy sculptures at a smaller scale, the so-called Réduction Méchanique, which popularised small sculptures and has been credited with being almost entirely responsible for the transformation of the bronze industry.
Antoine Coysevox (1640-1720)
Charles Antoine Coysevox was a French sculptor working in the Baroque and Louis XIV style. Coysevox was best known for his sculpture decorating the gardens and Palace of Versailles and his portrait busts.
Bronze
is a metal alloy consisting of copper, about 12% tin and often other metals such as aluminium, manganese, nickel, or zinc and sometimes, non-metals such as phosphorus, arsenic and, silicon. The additions produce a range of alloys that are harder than copper alone and often have other useful properties such as strength, ductility, and/or machinability.
Flora and Cupid
In Greek mythologies Love symbolises Cupid, the god of love. At this fraction of flowers, the god of love Cupid came to flora, the goddess of flowers and spring, to create a flower ‘as delicious as the rose’ and ‘stately as the lily in her pride’. As a result Flora creates a flower by combining the characteristics of rose and lily. She creates the lotus flower that combines the redness of rose with paleness of the lily.
Flora, in Roman religion is known as the goddess of the flowering of plants. Titus Tatius (according to tradition, the Sabine king who ruled with Romulus) is said to have introduced her cult to Rome and her temple stood near the Circus Maximus. Her festival, called the Floralia, was instituted in 238 BC. A representation of Flora’s head, distinguished only by a floral crown, appeared on coins of the republic.
Depicted in the painting above it has been surmised that a nymph called Chloris was kissed by the West Wind, Zephyrus, and was turned into Flora.
Hamadryad
was also known as Nymph of the Oak, is a Greek mythological being that lives in trees. It was said that Hamadryads actually lived inside the oak trees and died when their trees died. In Greek mythology, Hamadryas was the nymph daughter of Orius (mountain-god of Othrys or the Pindus) and sister Oxylus (daimon of the mountain forest).
Measurements
Flore 44cm High x 23cm Wide x 19cm Deep (17.3 x 9 x 7.5 inches)
Hamadryad 43cm High x 20.5cm Wide x 20cm Deep (16.9 x 8 x 7.9 inches)
Condition
Excellent antique condition, minimal wear
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