Bronze Sculpture By édouard Drouot Depicting Hebe

Large and superb early 20th-century bronze sculpture of Hebe by Edouard Drouot (1859-1945). Edouard Drouot was born in Sommevoire in 1859 and studied in Paris with Mathurin Moreau. He began exhibiting at the Salon of 1889, winning a third-class medal at the Salon of 1892 and an honorable mention at the Universal Exhibition of 1900. He specialized in allegorical and mythological figures, as seen in this bronze. This very fine early edition bronze with a brown patina depicts Hebe and Jupiter's eagle. Hebe is shown holding a cup, a reference to her role as servant of the gods. As the daughter of Zeus and Hera, she is presented offering nectar and ambrosia to Zeus's eagle. The piece is exquisitely detailed, and the patina is of superb quality. The sculpture is signed on the back of the base. The naturalistic base is raised on a molded wooden plinth, and this very large sculpture, made around 1900, is 94cm high. A rare work of high quality in this condition. Related literature: P. Kjellberg, Les Bronzes Du XIX Siècle, pages 291-294.