LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY, AFTER GASPARD MARSY AND ANSELME FLAMEN

In 1674, Colbert commissioned four sculptural groups representing the elements to decorate the Parterre d'Eau at Versailles. The marble groups, which were based on designs by Charles Le Brun, included 'Boreas and Orythia' (symbolizing air), 'the Rape of Proserpine' by Franois Girardon (fire), 'the Rape of Cybele' by Thomas Regnaudin (Earth) and Coronis and Neptune (water); the latter was not executed. The project was never completed and the groups by Marsy and Regnaudin were placed in the Parterre de l'Orangerie from 1687 to 1716, when they were moved to the Jardin des Tuileries. In 1972, they were sent to the Louvre where they can be seen today (see F. Souchal, French Sculptors of the 17th and 18th centuries: the reign of Louis XIV, London, 1987, vol. M-Z, p. 66 (no. 57), p. 250 (no. 2).

Numerous large bronze models of at least two different types of the Boreas and Orythia exist. Examples of the first type, which have elaborate and complex drapery around the arms and legs can be found at in the Grnes Gewlbe, Dresden (paired with the Rape of Proserpine) and in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu.

The present bronze represents a second type which is closer to the original design and has a square base. Other related versions are in the Louvre, Paris, in the Museo de Arte de Ponce, Puerto Rico and in the example shown in the The French Bronze 1500-1600 (exhib. cat.) New York, 1968, no. 25.