A Napoleon III bronze and marble group of Amor and Psyche

AFTER THE MODEL BY CLAUDE MICHALLON, CIRCA 1870

Details

A Napoleon III bronze and marble group of Amor and Psyche
After the model by Claude Michallon, Circa 1870
With central column surmounted by courting doves, on a stepped griotte rouge and black marble base, above a conforming ebonised plinth
27in. (68.6cm.) high; 16¾in. (42.5cm.) wide; 14¾in. (37.4cm.) deep

Lot Essay

The present sculpture is based on the model by Claude Michallon (d. 1799), inspired by the antique marble sculpture, the 'Capitolinic Kiss' (circa 200-150 B.C.). The antique sculpture was ceded to the French under the terms of the Treaty of Tolentino in 1797 from Rome, which may explain the appearance of Michallon's model. The figures were probably further popularized by Antonio Canova's adaptation of the same subject.

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