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Lot Essay
The tale of Apollo and Marsyas was a popular, albeit gruesome, legend among artists. The innocent victim of a curse put upon a flute, Marsyas soon found himself embroiled in a musical contest with Apollo. Having lost the contest, he was tied to a pine tree and flayed alive by his vanquisher.
The present bronze depiction of the story is remarkable for the exquisite execution of every detail. When it appeared at auction in 1989 (Sotheby's, London, 6 July 1989, lot 76 (sold ¨£32,000)), it was noted in the catalogue entry that the composition appeared to be a variant of an ivory relief signed by the Flemish sculptor Francis van Bossuit (1635-1692).
The present bronze depiction of the story is remarkable for the exquisite execution of every detail. When it appeared at auction in 1989 (Sotheby's, London, 6 July 1989, lot 76 (sold ¨£32,000)), it was noted in the catalogue entry that the composition appeared to be a variant of an ivory relief signed by the Flemish sculptor Francis van Bossuit (1635-1692).