An Italian bronze figure of Mercury, after Giambologna (1529-1608), 17th/18th century, Florence

M. H. Schwartz (ed.), European Sculpture from the Abbott Guggenheim Collection, New York, 2008, no. 24, p. 60-61

Surface abrasions and scratches to lacquer throughout. Some small holes from casting, especially in area of genetalia. Some lead plugs. Both wings with plugs at ankles (lead plug to proper left ankle, hole in proper right). Some minor casting flaws throughout. Repair to join between mouth of putto and "breath". Chipping and restorations to base.
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Giambologna's Mercury is perhaps the most famous sculpture in the artist's oeuvre and is one of the most enduring images of the Italian late Renaissance: lifting the human form as close to flight as is technically possible, and encouraging the viewer to circle completely around, it represents a momentous development in the history of sculpture.  The prime version was commissioned in 1564 by Cosimo I to be sent as a diplomatic gift to Emperor Maximillian II, and was the size of a fifteen-year-old youth.  Although this has not survived, the larger example in the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence followed soon after.  Giambologna also produced later variations, including a more slender vertical version.  The present example is a well modeled and finished reduction conforming  most closely to the Bargello version.

RELATED LITERATURE

C. Avery and A. Radcliffe, Giambologna, 1529-1608, Sculptor to the Medici (exh. cat.), Edinburgh, London, and Vienna, 1978, nos. 33-35, pp. 83-88