Susannah

Details

ACHILLE BIANCHI (ITALIAN, 1837-1889)
Susannah
signed and dated 'Achille Bianhi Fecet/ Roma 1886', on a verde antico marble pedestal
white statuary marble
36 in. (91.5 cm.) high, the sculpture
69 in. (175.5 cm.) high, overall
(2)

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU or, if the UK has withdrawn from the EU without an agreed transition deal, from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice. Specified lots are being stored at Crozier Park Royal (details below) or will be removed from Christie’s, 8 King Street, London, SW1Y 6QT by 5.00pm on the day of the sale. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. If the lot has been transferred to Crozier Park Royal, it will be available for collection from 12.00pm on the second business day following the sale. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Crozier Park Royal. All collections from Crozier Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s, 8 King Street, it will be available for collection on any working day (not weekends) from 9.00am to 5.00pm

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Lot Essay

Having studied at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts under Benedetto Cacciatori, Bianchi continued his training in Florence and Rome, where he later settled at the end of his life circa 1880. Like many of his contemporaries, Bianchi sculpted both works of fine art, such as the present lot, and funerary monuments. He exhibited regularly, including in Florence in 1861 where he presented his work Alpinolo, and showed at the Promotrice di Belle Arti di Torino beginning in 1859. In recognition of his works Ildegonda and Desdemona shown in Porto the artist was awarded the Portugese Chivalric Order of Christ.
In the present work Bianchi returns to a common theme like many artists before him, the story of Susannah and the Elders. Here he portrays the moment when Susannah first notices the intruders and she moves to cover herself. While her face evokes her shock and fear, enough of figure's body is revealed to illustrate the sinful temptation the Elders faced.

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