ANTIQUE 19thC BRONZE FIGURE OF ANDROMEDA, ALEXANDRE-PIERRE SCHOENEWERK 1820-1885
Antique 19th Century French bronze figure of Andromeda, the daughter of the king of Aethiopia, Cepheus, and his wife, Cassiopeia. When Cassiopeia boasts that she is more beautiful than the Nereids, Poseidon sends the sea monster Cetus to ravage the coast of Aethiopia as divine punishment. Andromeda is chained to a rock as a sacrifice to sate the monster, but is saved from death by Perseus, who marries her and takes her to Greece to reign as his queen.
Reference Number: A7991
DESCRIPTION
Antique 19th Century French bronze figure of Andromeda, the daughter of the king of Aethiopia, Cepheus, and his wife, Cassiopeia. When Cassiopeia boasts that she is more beautiful than the Nereids, Poseidon sends the sea monster Cetus to ravage the coast of Aethiopia as divine punishment. Andromeda is chained to a rock as a sacrifice to sate the monster, but is saved from death by Perseus, who marries her and takes her to Greece to reign as his queen.
Signed 'Schoenewerk Spt.' with foundry stamp ‘JULES GRAUX’, (Jules Graux founder c.1865-70),
Schoenewerk was a pupil of the distinguished sculptor David d'Angers. As the son of a foreigner he was barred from competing for the Prix de Rome. Despite this set-back, Schoenewerk's entries to the Salon from 1841 were well received and he won various important public commissions.
A Salon quality bronze by Alexandre-Pierre Schoenewerk, cast by the Paris founder Jules Graux. A ‘premier edition’ of Schoenewerk’s Andromida, 50cm high, was cast by Jules Graux, though it is not known how many were in the edition. By 1870 the foundry mark had changed to GRAUX-MARLY or GRAUX-MARLY FRÈRES, when his sons took over the business. ‘Andromeda’ was a sought after model and was later cast by the prestigious Paris foundries Colin & Cie and Jollet et Cie.
Jules Graux cast bronzes for many of the most distinguished sculptors of the day; amongst them were Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, James Pradier, Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse and Emmanuel Frémiet, these included premier editions and Salon castings.
CONDITION
In Great Condition - No Damage.
SIZE
Height: 52cm
Width: 46cm
Depth: 33cm