James Pradier
James Pradier, Phryne
1820-40

About the Item

Phryne by James Pradier 1790-1852 Beautiful bronze representing "Phryne" a very pretty courtesan of ancient Greece covered with his peplo. Susse frères stamp, signed on the terrace "Pradier". Phryne (c. 371 BC – after 316 BC) was an ancient Greek hetaira (courtesan). From Thespiae in Boeotia, she was active in Athens, where she became one of the wealthiest women in Greece. She is best known for her trial for impiety, where she was defended by the orator Hypereides. According to legend, she was acquitted after baring her breasts to the jury, though the historical accuracy of this episode is doubtful. She also modeled for the artists Apelles and Praxiteles, and the Aphrodite of Knidos was based on her. James Pradier, born 23 May 1792 in Geneva, died 4 June 1852 in Rueil, near Paris. Younger brother of engraver Charles-Simon P., James P. is the best known representative of French sculpture from the period of the bourgeois monarchy. He received his first education in Geneva from the sculptor Jean Jaquet, then entered in 1809 as a student in the Lemot studio in Paris, took French citizenship, obtained in 1813 the grand prize of the School of Fine Arts and then stayed in Rome until 1819. He returned to Paris and exhibited successfully at the Salons; in 1824 he was decorated with the legion of honour and in 1827 he was made a member of the Institut and appointed professor in the School of Fine Arts. His most famous works are the muliebri figures, of monumental proportions, in the Place de la Concorde in Paris, the twelve Victories on the tomb of Napoleon I to the Invalids, two statues in the Chamber of Deputies (1832)the plastic decoration of the tympanum in the triumphal arch of the Étoile (1833), the fountain Molière (1842) in Richelieu street; in Geneva the bronze statue of Rousseau, as well as the excellent terracotta sketches in the museum.

Creator:

James Pradier (1790 - 1852)

Creation Year:

1820-40

Dimensions:

Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)Width: 5.91 in (15 cm)Depth: 5.91 in (15 cm)

Medium:

Bronze

Movement & Style:

Academic

Period:

1820-1829