Bronze Sculpture “Last Days of Napoleon” by Vincenzo Vela 'Italian/Swiss'

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Bronze Sculpture “Last Days of Napoleon” by Vincenzo Vela 'Italian/Swiss'

About the Item

A work of unreal quality, the chiseling work is rather exemplary throughout the sculpture. The subject is described contemporarily in a moving write-up by William Macleod, curator of the Corcoran Gallery of Art in their 1882 catalogue where he examines the topic: "This sublime statue is justly considered among the greatest sculptural works of modern times. It was executed for Mr J. Taylor Johnston of New York at the sale of whose collection it was bought for this Gallery. It is a replica of the statue made in 1866 and bought by Napoleon III from the French International Exhibition in 1867 and is now at Versailles There is some difference in the heads of the two statues but none changing the character and sentiment of the work. Vela as a Swiss has followed his profession in Florence and Milan but now resides at Ligernetto Canton of Tisson. He is about 50 years old and a Republican. Napoleon is seated in a chair supported by a pillow a blanket covers his body and legs, but his dressing gown partly open shows his massive but wasted chest. His right hand rests languidly on an arm of the chair his left nervously clutched rests on a map of Europe of 1814 spread on his lap, that Europe whose boundary lines he had so often altered and obliterated. His head droops forward and there is an awful speculation in the glazed depths of the eyes that gaze earnestly from beneath the classic brow as though peering into futurity. An indomitable spirit lives in the compressed lips and the thin nostrils breathe the scorn of a conqueror though now yielding to the spell of the last conqueror, death. Neither David's Crossing the Alps nor De la Roche's Fontainebleau in their personations of the Successful General and the Fallen Emperor stir the heart so deeply as this pathetic image of the dying Imperial Captive” The present example is one of two slightly differed versions of this sculpture, both documented in Forrest’s work. It was cast by the foundry of Ferdinand Barbedienne and is noted such with the base edge inscription of “F. Barbedienne Foundeur, Paris” and attribution to A. Manigot as being responsible for the casting; the standard A. Collas reduction cachet is sealed into the back corner of the base. Notable is the inordinate level of finishing work completed in his face, hair, fingernails, garment and the map - as one of the larger editions of this model offered by Barbedienne, it is a dramatic and powerful work. For the serious collector of the finest of historical models in bronze, this is an exceptional acquisition. Literature and further reading: -Sotheby’s, 28 June 2007, 16 1/2” H model by Barbedienne achieved 22,800 GBP -University of Chicago Smart Museum of Art, acc. no. 1976.74, 16 1/2” H model -Christie’s Sydney, 15-16 May 2004, The John Schaeffer Collection, 45 cm (slightly larger than present model), unknown foundry, lot 255, achieved AUD 11,950 -Art Bronzes, Michael Forrest, 1988, p. 84-85, f. 2.184 & 2.185 Measurements: 16 3/4” H x 11 1/4” W x 15 1/4” D Condition report: Original patina with minor wear to high relief and traces of verdigris oxidization in crevices and along base; some variation in patina ranging from rich brown to mild reddish hue; some old sticker residue under wax along top of pillow; tiny hole tapped at front left corner of base beside tassel (photo upon request).

Creator:
F. Barbedienne Foundry (Manufacturer),Vincenzo Vela 1 (Sculptor)
Dimensions:
Height: 16.75 in (42.55 cm)Width: 11.25 in (28.58 cm)Depth: 15.25 in (38.74 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 20th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. See condition notes in description text.
Seller Location:
Shippensburg, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: 810PXK20A | Silla, ltd.1stDibs: LU1059013826281