Raoul Larche (1860–1912) – “the Sorrow Of Orestes” – Siot-decauville Bronze – H 60 Cm

Raoul Larche (1860–1912)
Orestes’ Grief, or Orestes at Agamemnon’s Tomb
Model created in 1888
Siot-Decauville edition, Paris

Important bronze cast with a brown-black patina depicting Orestes at the tomb of his father Agamemnon, a work by the French sculptor Raoul Larche (1860–1912).

The young Greek hero is depicted standing, nude, in a deeply meditative pose, his head bowed and his gaze turned toward Agamemnon’s tomb, situated beside him. The particularly meticulous anatomical rendering and the figure’s restrained posture lend the composition a dimension that is both heroic and melancholic.

The sculpture, known by the titles “ The Sorrow of Orestes” or “Orestes at Agamemnon’s Tomb”, was created by Raoul Larche in 1888, during his second entry in the Grand Prix de Rome competition.

Orestes, son of Agamemnon, learns that his father has been murdered by his mother Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus. He will subsequently avenge Agamemnon’s death, a major tragic episode in Greek mythology.

Although the model did not win first prize in the competition, it was a great success and was produced by the famous Parisian firm Siot-Decauville, which cast several of Larche’s major works.

Siot-Decauville’s archives and sales catalogs indicate that Orestes was offered in three sizes: approximately 135 cm, 60 cm, and 27 cm. This particular example is thus the second size, standing 60 cm tall.

The sculpture bears the signature “R. Larche” on the base, as well as the foundry’s mark, Siot-Decauville, Paris

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