"Two Fates" Bronze Sculpture by Jean-Baptiste CléSinger, Barbedienne

View Similar Items

Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger, French Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ, Barbedienne

French Bronze of 'Sappho', by Jean Baptiste Clesinger, 19th Century

Fine Quality Pair of Patinated Bronze Statues by Jean-Baptiste Clésinger

19th Century Animalier Bronze "Taureau Romano" by Jean-Baptiste Clesinger

19th Century Animalier Bronze "Taureau Vainqueur" by Jean-Baptiste Clesinger

Bronze Sculpture "Lioness of Senegal" by Antoine-Louis Barye & Barbedienne

French Bronze Sculpture "Valet de Limier" by Pierre Jules Mene & Barbedienne

F. Barbedienne Large Bronze Sculpture of Euterpe

Bust of Bacchante by Auguste Baptiste Clesinger, Rome, 1857

Bronze Sculpture of Atalanta by the F. Barbedienne Foundry

French Bronze Sculpture "Tiger Walking" after Antoine-Louis Barye, Barbedienne

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 11

"Two Fates" Bronze Sculpture by Jean-Baptiste CléSinger, Barbedienne

About the Item

A bronze sculpture with a graceful presence and of excellent quality, the work is based on the original sculpture in the east pediment of the Parthenon by Athenian sculptor Phidias, while Clésinger filled in the missing extremities of the scene for a full subject. It depicts Aphrodite lying in the arms of Artemis, clasping in her hands a scroll of parchments and a pair of scissors, while Artemis shields them from the wind, pulling his garment over his shoulder while holding a spindle of wool in his other hand. The work is catalogued in Barbedienne’s 1886 catalogue as “La reduction aux deus dix.” and was originally offered for 425 francs. Remaining in very fine condition, this is a powerful subject for anyone passionate about classical works in bronze - exquisitely cast, it makes a most fine collection strike point. Born Jean-Baptiste, but later choosing to be known as Auguste, he was a student of his father, the academic sculptor George Philippe Clésinger. Later studying under sculptor Thorvaldsen, a Danish neoclassical artist whose influence is clear in Clésinger's subjects, he also studied under architect Salvi and briefly under David d'Angers. A somewhat distracted and highly ambitious spirit, Jean-Baptiste moved around from Switzerland to Florence and in 1845 settled in Paris. He was aggressive in making connections and arranging proper critical acclaim for his works, an effort that paid off in his 1847 debut of Woman Bitten by a Snake, a moving Romantic work that created a sensation among critics. He was awarded first-class medal at Salon in 1848 for his Reclining Bacchante and was awarded membership in the exclusive Legion of Honor in 1849 - later he was promoted to officier in 1864. While he also worked to market his own works, organizing public auctions and publishing a catalogue with Théophile Gautier in 1868-70, much of his work was cast by and promoted by the Ferdinand Barbedienne foundry. The firm's 1867 catalogue features Clésinger's work prominently and the majority of works executed during his lifetime bear the stamp of this founder. Literature: Catalogue des Bronzes d’Art F. Barbedienne, Paris, 1886, p. 21 Measurements: 20 1/4” L x approx, 8” D x 11 1/2” H. Condition report: Beautiful original patina with light handling wear, light abrasion to outstretched foot, some grime or dust in crevices. We have additional images available upon request.

Creator:
Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger (Sculptor),F. Barbedienne Foundry (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)Width: 20.25 in (51.44 cm)Depth: 8 in (20.32 cm)
Style:
Romantic (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Patinated
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1880
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. See condition notes in descriptive text, additional images available upon request.
Seller Location:
Shippensburg, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: 609PLQ11A1stDibs: LU105905797423

Shop All F. Barbedienne Foundry

F. Barbedienne Foundry

Founded by one-time Parisian wallpaper dealer Ferdinand Barbedienne and engineer Achille Collas, one of the most revered foundries in 19th-century France began with the invention of a revolutionary 1830s-era device that could produce proportional reproductions — large or small — of sculptures. Collas’s machine, which yielded miniature likenesses of antiquities for the interiors of homes the world over, was pivotal to the success of the F. Barbedienne Foundry. The successful firm earned prestigious awards and critical acclaim and created exquisite bronze candleholders, clocks and lamps for a range of wealthy and prominent clients.

The duo first launched their company under the name Société Collas et Barbedienne, and early on, they optimized chemical processes for pigmenting and patinating their bronze statuettes. After Collas died in 1859, Barbedienne forged on alone, and the company’s name changed to simply F. Barbedienne.

Barbedienne employed more than 300 workers at that point, and the Maison created a range of furnishings and decorative objects that featured the integration of marble and ormolu accents. However, with the onset of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the foundry was forced to retrofit its molds, and the production of cannons replaced sculptures, furniture and vases.

When Ferdinand Barbedienne passed away in 1891, his nephew and heir, Gustave Leblanc, took over as president, changing the name to Leblanc-Barbedienne. Leblanc expanded production into Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, carrying on the company's legacy with monumental sculptures, and models and securing production rights for famous statues. Paul-Alexandre Dumas, an Art Nouveau maker and student of Louis Majorelle, succeeded Leblanc until the company's closing in 1952.

Barbedienne pieces had been exhibited regularly in the 19th century and were especially prevalent at Europe’s international expositions and world’s fairs, where they received numerous awards. Today, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris holds dozens of Barbedienne works in its collection, including intricate mirrors, vases and cups created by Louis-Constant Sévin at the foundry. For more than two decades, Sévin created lamps, boxes and more at Maison Barbedienne. Working alongside award-winning chaser Désiré Attarge, Sévin designed Napoleon III-era works that greatly appealed to European nobility.

Other notable artists who collaborated with Barbedienne included Eugene Aizelin, Emmanuel Fremiet, Antonin Mercié, Emile Guillemin, Edouard Lievre, Ferdinand Levillain and Auguste Rodin.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of Barbedienne decorative objects, lighting and collectibles.