Lot 119
  • 119

Allégories en bronze représentant le Jour et la Nuit Florence, fin du XVIIIe siècle, d'après Michel-Ange

Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 EUR
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Description

  • Allégories en bronze représentant le Jour et la Nuit
  • bronze à belle patine brune
  • Jour : haut. 28 cm, larg. 46,5 cm ; Nuit : haut. 29 cm, larg. 49 cm
  • Day: height 11 in; 18 1/3 in; Night: height 11 1/2 in; width 19 1/3 in

Literature

REFERENCE BIBLIOGRAPHIQUE
W.D. Wixom, Renaissance Bronzes from the Ohio collections, The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1975, nos 138-139.

Condition

Overall good condition with minor wear to the patina consistent with age and handling. Minor dust in the crevisses and some surface dirt. Two fixing holes on each backside of the bronze, where they have been fixed to the wooden bases. A few minor chips to the edges of the modern ebonized wooden bases. Sold with red velvet socles. Very attractive pieces.
"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

Ces bronzes, la figure féminine nue couchée, accompagnée d'une chouette pour personnifier la Nuit, et l'homme barbu accoudé sur le soleil et personnifiant le Jour, ont été fondus d'après les modèles de Michel-Ange (1475-1564) pour former un ensemble avec l'Aurore et le Crépuscule. Réalisés vers 1525, les marbres grandeur nature décorent toujours le tombeau de Jules de Médicis dans la sacristie de San Lorenzo, à Florence. Des réductions d'époque nous sont parvenues, à l'instar des modèles en terre cuite de Niccolo Tribolo (1497-1558) conservés au Bargello, et d'une version en cire de l'Ashmolean Museum d'Oxford. Une paire de bronzes du XVIe siècle, plus petits que les notres, est exposée au Cleveland Museum, alors que le V&A Museum de Londres possède une autre variante de l'Aurore (inv. 4119-1854).