A bronze Equestrian group of Louis XIV, after a model by Martin van den Bogaert, called Desjardins (1637-1694), Brownish green patina with traces of black lacquer

This equestrian group of Louis XIV on horseback is indeed one of the most popular of the King.  It is founded on the Marcus Aurelian model, which Desjardin modified for Louis XIV. The monument took a Herculean effort on the part of the sculptor as well as the founder Roger Scabol to complete.  The finished monument was erected in Paris in 1713 long after Desjardin's death.  Unfortunately, the monument was destroyed during the Revolution.  The success of the model is illustrated by the numerous small-scale replicas cast from the 18^{th-century onward. The bronze rests on an associated French gilt-bronze mounted ebonised base, 18th century.}



64 by 40 cm.; 25 ¼ by 15 ¾ in.



 

Partridge Fine Arts, London.

RELATED LITERATURE
New York, Knoedler and Co. The French Bronze 1500-1800, 6-27 November 1968, nos. 258-9; F. Souchal, French Sculptors of the 17^th and 18^th centuries-The reign of Louis XIV, vol. 1, no. 47, pp.258-9; R. Wenley, French Bronzes in the Wallace Collection, London, 2002, no. 50, pp. 50-2