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Lot Essay
One of the 19th Century's most recognizable sculptures by one of its most famous French sculptors, Antonin Mercié, is David. This highly important bronze depicts the Biblical story of young David's final triumph over Goliath. The piece earned the artist a first class medal as well as the rank of Chevalier de légion d'honneur at the Paris Salon of 1872.
As a receipient of the Grand Prize of Rome at the age of 23, Mercié traveled to Italy and studied there from 1869 to 1873. During his stay in the Italian capital he was clearly influenced by Andrea del Verrocchio and Donatello's versions of the same subject matter and the stylistic influences of both artists is clearly apparent in Mercié's David (fig. 1).
Mercié's David in return provided inspiration for eminent artist's such as Sir Alfred Gilbert whose famous piece entitled Perseus Arming closely resembles the pose and figure of the present piece (fig. 2).
The life size version of Mercié's David is in the permanent collection of the Museé D'Orsay and is currently on exhibition.
(fig. 1) Donatello, David, circa 1430, Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence.
(fig. 2) Sir Alfred Gilbert, Perseus Arming, Private Collection.
As a receipient of the Grand Prize of Rome at the age of 23, Mercié traveled to Italy and studied there from 1869 to 1873. During his stay in the Italian capital he was clearly influenced by Andrea del Verrocchio and Donatello's versions of the same subject matter and the stylistic influences of both artists is clearly apparent in Mercié's David (fig. 1).
Mercié's David in return provided inspiration for eminent artist's such as Sir Alfred Gilbert whose famous piece entitled Perseus Arming closely resembles the pose and figure of the present piece (fig. 2).
The life size version of Mercié's David is in the permanent collection of the Museé D'Orsay and is currently on exhibition.
(fig. 1) Donatello, David, circa 1430, Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence.
(fig. 2) Sir Alfred Gilbert, Perseus Arming, Private Collection.