Pair of Rare French Bronze Sculpture Busts of Ajax (Menelaus) and Philopoemen

PAIR OF BRONZE BUST SCULPTURES OF MENELAUS AND PHILOPOEMEN
After model by Pierre-Jean David d’Angers (French, 1788-1856), Philopoemen signed "P. Puget" for Pierre Puget (French, 1620-1694)
Item #  603GPA12Z

While there are many opinions regarding the identity of the the left bust, the two predominant theories are that it is General Ajax or the bust portion of the sculpture “Menelaus Supporting the body of Patroclus” held in the Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence, Italy.  The bust is signed along the edge of the base in script “P. Puget” for Pierre Puget, though the authorship of the original sculpture is unknown and being of late 19th Century origin this may have simply been the predominant attribution during the time of casting.  Both busts are crisp and excellent castings from the third quarter of the Nineteenth century, each with fine smooth surfaces and a glowing deep patina with variated hues of reds, browns, greens and touches of black.  

The right facing sculpture is the bust portion of a full body sculpture executed by Pierre-Jean David d’Angers in 1837, a piece commissioned in 1832 by the government of Louis-Phillipe in marble for the Tuileries Gardens.  Philopoemen of Megalopolis (253 - 184 B.C.) was “the last of the Greeks”, an enemy of tyranny as general of the Achaeans, a subject with a moral and political content that appealed to David to such a degree that he completed the commission for the citizen-king he personally opposed.  Like it’s counterpart, the present sculpture is signed in script along it’s original bronze base.  

Both present as a most powerful complimenting pair, the bold and renowned heroes of old.  As a rare pair to join the open market, this is an exquisite acquisition for the passionate collector of historical bronze subjects.  The intensity of the color in both is most remarkable, the burnished “gilt" highlights of the shoulder straps, button and hairs exquisite contrasts against the nearly black hues, the gorgeous reds glowing throughout the body of both figures.

Literature and References:

• The Romantics to Rodin, French Nineteenth Century Sculpture, Fusco & Janson, p. 211-223 f. 101 [regarding d’Angers, specifically the sculpture of Philopoemen]
• "E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Vol. XI”, Gründ, p. 457-59 [regarding Puget]
• “E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Vol. IV”, Gründ, p. 479-481 [regarding d’Angers]
• "Bronzes of the Nineteenth Century, Dictionary of Artists”, Kjellberg, p. 260-64 [regarding d’Angers]

Measurements:  [Ajax] 16” H x 9” W x 6” D, [Philopoemen] 16 1/2” H x 9 3/4” W x 6 1/4” D

Condition Report:
Minor dings, fine original patina with light handling wear.  Overall remaining in exquisite condition.