Circle of Caspar Gras (1585-1674) South German, first half 17th century

with right hand raised, traces of gilding and much detailed punching to her robes

Overall condition good and consistent with age, this finely cast figure shows traces of earlier gilding visible in the folds of her robes.  Minor dent on proper right of plinth on which she sits as well as on proper left. Base plate drilled for attachment and two earlier attachment pin holes at the back.
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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."

Although the pose and composition are of Italian origin, this finely executed diminutive figure recalls bronzes from Southern Germany, in particular to the circle and followers of Hubert Gerhard (1540-1620). Gerhard, of Dutch origin, studied in Italy, working in Florence under Giambologna, before settling in Southern Germany.  Caspar Gras, born near Wurzburg, initially trained with his father as a goldsmith but soon became a pupil of Gerhard's.

The present bronze shows a number of similarities to both the work of Gerhard and Gras and the influence of Giambologna.  The similarity of the pose with deep folds of drapery can be compared with the earlier terracotta figure of Thetis by Giambologna in the Victoria and Albert Museum illustrated in the 2006 Vienna exhibition catalogue.  Compare also with the figures by Gras of the Cardinal Virtues flanking the Tomb of Maximilian I at the Hofkirche, Innsbruck .  The fine finished treatment very much recalls goldsmith work and the heavy lidded eyes, stylised hair and elongated face together with the hands recall both the fragmentary Head of a Man, the figures of Nessus and Deianara and Cupid and Psyche attributed by Leithe-Jaspar to Caspar Gras.

RELATED LITERATURE

H. Weihrauch, Europaische Bronzestatuetten, Brunswick 1956, pp334-335; Ruhm und Sinnlichkeit, Innsbrücker Bronzeguss 1500-1650 von Kaiser Maximilian I bis Erzherzog Ferdinand Karl, ex.cat.Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum 1996, nos. 88, 99, 100 pp.222-227;
Giambologna, Triumph des Körpers, ex. cat. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna , June -September 2006 fig. 14