186 - Maurice De Korte (1889-1971), 'Betender Knabe von Sanssoucci' (Berliner Adorant), 1920s

Maurice De Korte (1889-1971), 'Betender Knabe von Sanssoucci' (Berliner Adorant), 1920s Bronze, dark brown patina. Height 137 cm. Incised signature M. de Korte on the plinth, also marked METAALGIETERIJ 'HOLLAND' AMSTERDAM. This is a copy of a statue created around 300 BC by the Greek sculptor Lysippos or his circle. The original, known as the 'Praying Boy,' now greets visitors entering the rotunda of the Altes Museum in Berlin. The ancient bronze figure, discovered around 1503 on Rhodes, has been a highlight of various prominent art collections since its discovery, including those of the Dukes of Gonzaga in Mantua, King Charles I of England, Nicolas Fouquet at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Prince Eugene of Savoy, and Prince Wenzel of Liechtenstein. The antique original, augmented around 1700 by the addition of the raised arms, was purchased by King Frederick II of Prussia in 1747 and became one of his favorite works of art. In 1786, it was moved from Sanssouci Palace to Berlin Palace and around 1830 transferred to the newly opened museum at the Lustgarten. After 1786, various casts, reproductions, or reductions of the original were created.