A PAIR OF FRENCH BRONZE GROUPS OF THE RAPE OF A SABINE WOMAN AND THE ABDUCTION OF PROSERPINA

Although taken from two individual sources, these compositions became linked as a decorative pair and were often cast together, particularly in 18th century France. The Rape of a Sabine Woman is after one of Giambologna's most famous marble groups, unveiled in 1583 and today in the Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence. The group of the Abduction of Proserpina is taken from the marble by Girardon which was commissioned to adorn the Parterre d'Eau at Versailles in 1699.