- 193
Jean Baptiste Clésinger
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 USD
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Description
- Jean Baptiste Clésinger
- COMBAT DE TAUREAU ROMAIN
- signed J. CLESINGER ROME 1863. and MAISON MARNYHAC 1. RUE DE LA PAIX
- bronze, brown patina
- height 12 3/4 in.; width 27 1/2 in.
- 32 cm; 70 cm
Condition
Overall in good original condition, with the usual wear to the patina in places especially high reliefs consistent with handling and touching. Light scratches and dents consistent with age. Surface dirt to crevices.
The department encourages interested parties to use our online e-catalogue's zoom function to enjoy magnified and alternate views of this lot.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
For his serie of Roman bulls, Clésinger was probably inspired by the antique carvings in the Sala degli Animali in the Vatican and so would have been honoured by Théophile Gautier's praise 'the Apis bull receiving divine honours did not have a prouder expression. Clésinger studied those great bulls of Clitumnus, animals so handsome and noble that they seem made for the priest's sacrificial knife rather than the butcher's cleaver'.
With the state acquiring the standing bull for the Musée de Luxembourg, the success of the Taureau Romain was assured. Clésinger went on to make several subsequent variants: a Combat de taureaux romains (1864) similar to the present model, in red marble for the Musée de Marseille; a Taureau vainqueur(1868) which was purchased by Napoleon III for the Tuileries; and a second Taureau Romain (1878), later known as the Toro Romano to distinguish it from the first, purchased for the Musée de Lille.
With the state acquiring the standing bull for the Musée de Luxembourg, the success of the Taureau Romain was assured. Clésinger went on to make several subsequent variants: a Combat de taureaux romains (1864) similar to the present model, in red marble for the Musée de Marseille; a Taureau vainqueur(1868) which was purchased by Napoleon III for the Tuileries; and a second Taureau Romain (1878), later known as the Toro Romano to distinguish it from the first, purchased for the Musée de Lille.