Italian, Rome, late 16th century

private collection, Wiesbaden

The sculpture probably once part of a larger fountain ensemble and would have been outside. There is consequently some weathering to the surface. There are various holes for water to run, notably at the back, centre, below's Neptune's feet, and in the hippocamps' mouths. The right hippocamp's leg and Neptune's proper right hand and wrist are lost. The are some restorations, including to Neptune's nose and possibly to the nose of the left hippocamp. There are white residues to the backs of the hippocamps. Neptune's genitals are lost and there is an old metal pin. There is veining to the marble consistent with the material, in particular across the hippocamps and through Neptune's proper right leg. There are some naturally occurring inclusions, such as to Neptune's abdomen. There is an orange stain to Neptune's proper right arm, and some further slight orange staining. There are some small losses and abrasions. Otherwise the condition is good overall with wear and dirt consistent with age.
"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."

This striking marble figure of Neptune, Roman god of water, would originally have surmounted an elaborate fountain, probably within a private Renaissance palazzo. The mannerist pose and monumental physiognomy recall the work of the late 16th-century Flemish-born sculptor Gilles van den Vliete, called Egidio della Riviera (circa 1542-1602). Compare with the figure of Andromeda attributed to him, which was offered in these rooms on 8 July 2005, lot 75. Note the same unincised eyes, wavy hair and lack of body hair. The long forked beard with prominent moustache compares with male figures from the reliefs Van den Vliete carved with Pietro della Motta for the tomb of Charles Frederick of Jülich-Cleves-Berg in the church of Santa Maria dell'Anima, Rome (circa 1577). Note also the figures of Virtues from the tomb with their thick-set limbs and contrapposto poses. The head and beard of Neptune are also closely reminiscent of those of the sleeping warrior from a funerary monument which has been attributed to Van den Vliete and is in the Museo Stefano Bardini, Florence (inv. no. 264).  The mannerist contraposto is also similar to compositions by Van den Vliete's contemporary Cristoforo Stati (1556-1619), such as his Orpheus in the Metropolitan Museum of At, New York (inv. no. 41.100.242). Conceptually the head of the present marble recalls Giambologna's Mars (circa 1565), whilst the pose may be influenced in part by Bartolomeo Ammannati's Neptune in the Piazza della Signoria, Florence (circa 1565).

RELATED LITERATURE

Fiamminghi a Roma 1508-1608. Artistes des Pays-Bas et de la principaute de Liege a Rome a la renaissance, exh. cat. Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels, and Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, 1995, pp. 396-397