FRENCH, THIRD QUARTER 18TH CENTURY

Details

A TERRACOTTA GROUP OF VENUS DELIVERING TELEMACHUS FROM THE CHAINS OF LOVE
FRENCH, THIRD QUARTER 18TH CENTURY
On an integral naturalistic base; Venus, wearing a plumed helmet and a shield by her feet, is depicted releasing the young Telemachus from his metaphorical chains; beside him is Cupid with upraised arms; at the their feet a panting wolf and pigeons.
Very minor cracks and restorations.
14 1/2 in. (37 cm.) high

Provenance

Karl Lagerfeld, sold Christie's Monaco, 29 April 2000, lot 289 (FF 220,000)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis. Christie's generally offer property consigned by others for sale at public auction. From time to time, lots are offered which Christie's International Plc or one of its subsidiary companies owns in whole or in part. Such a lot is offered subject to a reserve, unless otherwise stated. This is such a lot.

Sale room notice

Please note that the title of this piece should read 'A terracotta group of Minerva delivering Telemachus from the chains of love' and not as stated.

Lot Essay

Scenes relating the story of Telemachus, son of Ulysses and Penelope, were widespread in 18th century French art due to the popularisation of the subject by the author Fénélon, who wrote Adventures of Telemachus in 1699. Here, Telemachus is freed from the chains of love by his protectress, Minerva. The hero, who set out to find his father when the latter did not return home from the Trojan war, had been shipwrecked and entranced by the nymph Eucharis on the island of the goddess Calypso.

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