Lot Essay
A travers la physionomie des personnages et la nature de la composition ce groupe est à rapprocher de deux pendants en bronze, l'un de Vénus désarmant Cupidon, et l'autre de Psychée découvrant Cupidon, dont de nombreux exemples sont connus. Une paire de ces pendants, 'attribuée à Corneille van Cleve' a été présentée lors de l'exposition 'French bronzes at Knoedler and Co.' (loc. cit.). Bien que cette attribution reste controversée, notre bronze délicatement exécuté est indéniablement résultat d'une influence de l'artiste. Van Cleve, dont le maître était Michel Anguier, et qui voyagea à Rome et à Venise, eut une carrière très réussie. Il travailla également pour Louis XIV à Versailles, ainsi que pour des clients particuliers.
In its subject matter, the physiognomies and the frontal nature of the composition, this group is related to two pendant bronze groups of Venus Disarming Cupid and Psyche Discovering Cupid which are known in numerous examples. One pair of these was included in the exhibition of French bronzes at Knoedler and Co. (loc. cit.) where they were described as 'attributed to Corneille van Cleve'. Although this attribution remains controversial, the present delicately executed bronze is certainly influenced by his work. Van Cleve, who trained under Michel Anguier as well as spending time in Rome and Venice, had a hugely successful career, and worked extensively for Louis XIV at Versailles, as well as for private clients.
In its subject matter, the physiognomies and the frontal nature of the composition, this group is related to two pendant bronze groups of Venus Disarming Cupid and Psyche Discovering Cupid which are known in numerous examples. One pair of these was included in the exhibition of French bronzes at Knoedler and Co. (loc. cit.) where they were described as 'attributed to Corneille van Cleve'. Although this attribution remains controversial, the present delicately executed bronze is certainly influenced by his work. Van Cleve, who trained under Michel Anguier as well as spending time in Rome and Venice, had a hugely successful career, and worked extensively for Louis XIV at Versailles, as well as for private clients.