catalog text
BRONZE SCULPTURE OF "ETRUSCAN ART REPRESENTED BY A SEATED WOMAN" BY VICTOR ÉTIENNE SIMYAN (FRENCH, 1826-86)
Foundry mark for Auguste Delafontaine to edge of chair "AD / Delafontaine" and to the underside "AD"; signed in cast "Simyan"; France, circa 1870
Item # 105GTR02P
Originally exhibited in plaster at the Salon of 1857 (no. 3102), it was again exhibited at the Salon of 1861 (no. 3616) in marble with the title L'Art Étrusque. The original was acquired by the French government for 7,000 francs and was subsequently placed in the Museum of Avignon. The present sculpture is a serial sand-cast model completed during Simyan's lifetime for the retail market, probably circa the 1870s; the cold-stamped "A.D / DELAFONTAINE" surmounted by a star denotes its execution by the renowned foundry of Auguste Delafontaine with the same "A.D." cold-stamped to the underside. The model is finished in a dark and light brown chemical patination.
We may still have another casting of this sculpture available in our inventory, these being the only two our gallery has had the opportunity to represent. Both are cast by Delafontaine and of very fine quality. View the other model by clicking here.
Artist Listings & Bibliography:
- Dictionnaire des Sculpteurs de L'École Française, Vol. IV, Stanislas Lami, 1970, p. 262-263
- E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Vol. XII, Gründ, 2006, p. 1262
Measurements: 11 7/8" H x 4 3/4" D x 12" W
Condition Report:
Fine original patina with minor handling wear to relief; small vertical fissure to the front edge of the base; tiny abrasion to the back of her neck; wear/abrading to the outside of her right forearm and outside of her fingers; cleaned, waxed and polished, in fine presentation-ready condition.