Lot 117
  • 117

Jean-Baptiste Germain French, 1841-1910

bidding is closed

Description

  • Jean-Baptiste Germain
  • Allégorie de la danse et de la musique (an allegory of Dance and Music)
  • signed: JB. Germain and inscribed: Fonte sur Platre Susse Fes Edts Paris and entitled: MUSIQUE and DANSE

Condition

Overall the condition of the bronze is very good with some minor wear to the patina consistent with age. There is a slightly visible casting pin to the top of the head of hte figure of dance. There is some subtle streaking in the colour of the patina as visible in the catalogue photograph.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Jean-Baptiste Germain studied at the École des Beaux Arts under Augustin Dumont and Charles Gumery. He began exhibiting at the Paris Salon in 1866 with a group entitled La Foi religieuse. Most of his subjects were allegorical or historical and he won an honourable mention in the Exposition Universelle of 1900.

The Allégorie de la danse et de la musique owes something to Carpeaux's Trois Grâces, a motif from his La Danse conceived for the façade of the Paris Opera. Germain's dancers show the same entwined frenzy but have a sweetness and decorative attention in contrast to Carpeaux's important work. Modelled with multiple views and very much in the round the two women and the child display a whirl of movement which ruffles their hair and drapery. The model was edited by the Susse foundry and the present bronze is a fine example of the edition with a varied patina.

RELATED LITERATURE
Lami, vol. 3, pp. 53-54; Kjellberg, pp. 357-358