BARBEDIENNE Founder, after Guillaume COUSTOU Suite of two Bronzes representing Hippomenes throwing a golden apple to delay Atalanta. They rest on a sea green marble base, square section. Signed Barbedienne on the mound. Height 10,5 cm. Model created in 1712 by Guillaume COUSTOU for the Bassin des Carpes of the Château de Marly, intimate residence of King Louis XIV. According to Ovid, in Book X of the Metamorphoses, Atalanta promised to marry the man who could beat her at the race. One of her suitors, Hippomenes, drops golden apples from the Hesperides garden during the race. Atalanta rushes to pick them up, leaving Hippomenes free to win the race.

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