"Flying Mercury Carried By The Breath Of Zephyr. Bronze, Italy Circa 1800"
School of Jean de Bologna dit Giambologna (1529 - 1608) Bronze with bronze-brown patina Height: 75 cm with its base in verde-de-mer marble, with heart-shaped moldings in gilded bronze. Known by numerous reductions and by several prints including that of the Bargello in Florence, the Mercury of Jean de Bologne dit Giambologna (1529 - 1608) seems to be the expression of Mannerist sculpture. Translating into three dimensions the audacious silhouette of Mercury painted by Raphael for the Villa Farnesine at the beginning of the 16th century, the work is characteristic of this international style which draws on the repertoire of the classical Renaissance: slender and youthful body, elongated barrel, small head, position at the limit of the rupture of balance inspired by the ballet created at the court of the Medici, multiplication of angles of view, integration into a landscape. The success of the style of Jean de Bologne, originally from Douai, but who spent his entire career in Florence, at the court of the Medici, is due to the dissemination by his workshop made up of Antonio Susini, Pietro Tacca and Pierre de Franqueville, of many reductions offered by the Medici as a diplomatic gift. Our bronze, whose quality stands out easily compared to the many prints made in the 19th century, can be dated between 1790 and 1810 and its patina is particularly beautiful! Sold with detailed invoice & certificate