1 / 7

Description

Italian master; 17th century. "Narcissus". Carrara marble. It presents faults and restorations. Measurements: 217 x 130 x 60 cm. Sculpture carved in Carrara marble representing a young ephebe. Technically the work that starts from an anatomical canon of classic character, with naturalistic dimensions that tends to a dynamism and expressiveness typical of the baroque. This feature can be seen in the posture of the protagonist with his legs crossed and one of his arms forward, as well as in the treatment of the fabric covering his waist, where the ample folds create a play of light and shadows that favor the grandeur of the volume. Aesthetically, the work is inspired by classical statuary, specifically Roman, which in turn was in some ways based on Greek, despite other stylistic influences and its own idiosyncrasies. In this case it should be noted that the piece corresponds to a historical period, in which antiquity is used as an example of virtuous society, rescuing and adapting the models established by the aforementioned cultures. This piece, which brings together both the tradition of Baroque statuary and the expressive and theatrical taste of the Baroque, is largely reminiscent in its composition to the sculpture of David Bernini's David, made between 1623 and 1624, currently in the collection of the Galleria Borghese. Known for his beauty, according to the best known version of the story, by Ovid, Narcissus rejected all advances, finally falling in love with a reflection in a pool of water, tragically unaware of his likeness, enraptured by it. In some versions, he struck his chest with purple in agony at being cut off from this reflected love, and in its place sprouted a flower bearing his name. Several versions of the myth have survived from ancient sources, one by the 2nd century A.D. Greek traveler and geographer Pausanias and a more popular one by Ovid, published before A.D. 8, found in Book 3 of his Metamorphoses. It is the story of Echo and Narcissus, a story within a story. Ovid's framing shows the story to be a test of the prophetic abilities of Tiresias, an individual who had been both male and female, and whose sight was taken from him during a contest between Juno and Jove. He had sided with Jove and Juno, in anger, blinded him. Instead, Jove granted her future sight, or prophecy. The prophecy that gave Tiresias his name was the story of Echo and Narcissus. It presents faults and restorations.

Go to lot
<
>

Italian master; 17th century. "Narcissus". Carrara marble. It presents faults and restorations. Measurements: 217 x 130 x 60 cm. Sculpture carved in Carrara marble representing a young ephebe. Technically the work that starts from an anatomical canon of classic character, with naturalistic dimensions that tends to a dynamism and expressiveness typical of the baroque. This feature can be seen in the posture of the protagonist with his legs crossed and one of his arms forward, as well as in the treatment of the fabric covering his waist, where the ample folds create a play of light and shadows that favor the grandeur of the volume. Aesthetically, the work is inspired by classical statuary, specifically Roman, which in turn was in some ways based on Greek, despite other stylistic influences and its own idiosyncrasies. In this case it should be noted that the piece corresponds to a historical period, in which antiquity is used as an example of virtuous society, rescuing and adapting the models established by the aforementioned cultures. This piece, which brings together both the tradition of Baroque statuary and the expressive and theatrical taste of the Baroque, is largely reminiscent in its composition to the sculpture of David Bernini's David, made between 1623 and 1624, currently in the collection of the Galleria Borghese. Known for his beauty, according to the best known version of the story, by Ovid, Narcissus rejected all advances, finally falling in love with a reflection in a pool of water, tragically unaware of his likeness, enraptured by it. In some versions, he struck his chest with purple in agony at being cut off from this reflected love, and in its place sprouted a flower bearing his name. Several versions of the myth have survived from ancient sources, one by the 2nd century A.D. Greek traveler and geographer Pausanias and a more popular one by Ovid, published before A.D. 8, found in Book 3 of his Metamorphoses. It is the story of Echo and Narcissus, a story within a story. Ovid's framing shows the story to be a test of the prophetic abilities of Tiresias, an individual who had been both male and female, and whose sight was taken from him during a contest between Juno and Jove. He had sided with Jove and Juno, in anger, blinded him. Instead, Jove granted her future sight, or prophecy. The prophecy that gave Tiresias his name was the story of Echo and Narcissus. It presents faults and restorations.

Estimate 180 000 - 200 000 EUR
Starting price 95 000 EUR

* Not including buyer’s premium.
Please read the conditions of sale for more information.

Sale fees: 24 %
Leave bid
Register

For sale on Wednesday 26 Jun : 12:45 (CEST)
wwwsetdartcom, pays.null
Setdart.com
+34932463241
Browse the catalogue Sales terms Sale info

Delivery to
Change delivery address
Delivery is not mandatory.
You may use the carrier of your choice.
The indicated price does not include the price of the lot or the auction house's fees.