Sculpture Leda And The Swan By Carrier Belleuse

Sculpture "Leda and the Swan" by Carrier-Belleuse, bearing the foundry mark "Bronze garantie Paris JB Déposé" (Guaranteed Bronze Paris JB Registered). In bronze with a brown patina (note some wear to the patina), on its Marquina marble base (black veined with white). Very high quality of execution. This sculpture is in excellent condition, with no missing pieces or damage. Its dimensions are: Base length 47 cm, width 30 cm, and height 32 cm. Delivery within France. A little history: One myth, several sources. The myth of the love between Zeus and Leda is not uniform: indeed, different interpretations are given depending on the source, such as Ovid's Metamorphoses or Apollodorus' Library. Leda is the daughter of Thestius, King of Aetolia, and his wife, Eurythemis. She is married to Tyndareus, King of Sparta. Sources agree on Leda's parents and husband, but the crucial moment of her union with Zeus seems to vary. Zeus wants to unite with Leda and asks Aphrodite for help: she transforms herself into an eagle, and Zeus into a majestic swan. A chase ensues, and Leda, seeing the Swan terrified by the eagle's presence, cannot help but embrace the swan, which then takes the opportunity to unite with her. Sometimes there is mention of an eagle pursuing Zeus transformed into a swan, but given the god's power and his true form, such a situation of inferiority is doubtful. Although the balance seems to tip toward the first hypothesis, in all cases, the ruse transforms into a loving embrace. Leda's seduction by the Swan is suggested but not explicit. On the other hand, it is claimed that the union took place near the Eurotas river. From this union were born the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, Helen and Clytemnestra, whose paternity was debated between Zeus and Leda's legitimate husband.