D'APRÈS GIAMBOLOGNA (JEAN DE BOLOGNE, 1529-16... Lot n° 15

L'ENLEVEMENT DE DÉJANIRE France, Louis XIV period Bronze with brown-red patina, blackened pear tree and brass H. 31 cm, W. 25,5 cm, D. 13,5 cm Usures with Déjanire and Nessus patina : The subject is taken from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Hercules, having married Déjanire after having defeated Acheloüs, entrusted her to the centaur Nessus who was to help her cross the river Evene. In love with the princess, Nessus will try to kidnap her. Hercules will kill the centaur with an arrow poisoned with the blood of the Hydra of Lerna. The centaur, perfidious, persuades Déjanire to collect his blood and use it as a love potion if Hercules betrays her. One day, convinced of her husband's infidelity, she impregnates a tunic with a few drops of the centaur's blood and makes her wear it to her husband who, in turn poisoned, becomes mad with pain and throws himself into the flames. Giambologna treats the theme with brio in three fairly similar versions, creating a baroque whirlwind that Bernini will remember. Combining vigour and precision, the model is appreciated throughout Europe thanks to its diffusion through "small bronzes" of which Susini, a pupil and son-in-law of John of Bologna, had made a speciality. Its success was undiminished throughout the century, and the royal collections under Louis XIV numbered no less than seven copies (six located to date, including one in the Louvre, fig. 1). The versions by Susini, or Pietro Tacca are however different, and in the less thorough treatment of the material, and in the action itself. Indeed, if they relate the actual abduction, our bronze shows a later phase: the cries of Deianire have been heard, and Hercules has already shot the arrow that mortally wounded the centaur... Nessus tries to tear off the arrow and his face expresses the suffering as much as that of Deianire's fright. These kidnappings were a great success. Regarded by Gersaint as "a noble curiosity and suitable for the decor