James Pradier (1790-1852) Sapho, 1852

The exquisite bronze sculpture of the ancient Greek poet Sapho comes from the hand of the French sculptor James Pradier (1790-1852). In 1852 he created the life-size marble model, which has been in the Louvre in Paris since 1870.

Pradier presented the sculpture at the Paris Salon in 1852. A short time later, the renowned Parisian manufacturer acquired it Sweet Frères Editeurs the rights to a reduced version in Bronze . For the statuette, which was made in four different sizes, Pradier changed some details, making its overall appearance more sensual and elegant. The Musée d'Orsay and the Geneva MAH own a copy of the early reduction.

In the same year, Pradier died suddenly, his Sapho was then covered with a black veil and the artist was posthumously awarded the Salon's Medal of Honor (source Musée d'Orsay).

As one of the most important and influential intellectuals of antiquity, Sappho is one of the greatest poets of the Greek classical period, along with the philosophers Plato, Homer and Horace. As one of the first women of her time, she founded a school for girls where, in addition to dance and poetry, she also taught musical subjects.

The present Bronze shows the very good quality typical of Susse Frères with fine workmanship and wonderful patination: Due to age and use, the original patination is somewhat uneven. Otherwise very nice original condition. Cast mark on the side with the signature “J. Pradier" and the foundry's brand.

Size : 28 cm x 35 cm Weight : 5.7 kg

The manufacture  Susse Frères Editeurs-Paris began publishing contemporary artists early on. She completed 24 works for James Pradier alone. Since the early 19th In the 19th century they worked with various, very renowned Parisian foundries and quickly made a name for themselves for the excellent quality of their bronze castings.

Lit.:

Chair statues. Sculptures by James Pradier (1790-1852). Geneva, Paris, 1968.

Pierre Cadet, Susse Frères – 150 Years of sculpture 1837-1987, Paris, 1992.

Peter Kjellberg, Les Bronzes du XIXième siècle, Paris 2008.

Sapho by James Pradier (1790-1852)

The exquisite Bronze sculpture of the ancient Greek poetess Sapho is from the hand of the French sculptor James Pradier (1790-1852). He created the life-size marble model in 1852, which has been in the Louvre in Paris since 1870.

Pradier presented the sculpture at the Paris Salon in 1852. A short time later, the renowned Parisian manufactory Susse Frères Editeurs acquired the rights to a reduced version in Bronze . For the statuette, which was produced in four different sizes, Pradier changed some details, making its overall appearance more sensual and elegant. A copy of the early reduction is held by the Musée d'Orsay and the Geneva MAH.

Pradier died suddenly the same year, his Sapho was then covered with a black veil and the artist was posthumously awarded the Salon's Medal of Honor (source Musée d'Orsay).

One of the most important and formative intellectual figures of antiquity, Sapho ranks with the philosophers plato, Homer, and Horace among the greatest poets of the Greek classical period. She was one of the first women of her time to found a school for girls, where she taught musical subjects in addition to dance and poetry.

The present Bronze shows the very good quality typical of Susse Frères, with a fine finish and wonderful patination: due to age and use, the original patination is somewhat uneven. Otherwise very nice original condition. Laterally cast mark of the signature "J. Pradier as well as the mark of the foundry.

Size: cm x cm Weight: 5.7kg

the Sweet Freres Editeurs-Paris manufactory began publishing contemporary artists early on. It executed 24 works for James Pradier alone. Since the early 19th century, they worked with several very prestigious Parisian foundries and quickly made a name for the high quality of their Bronze castings.

further Information about the artist and sculpture:
Chair statues. Sculptures by James Pradier (1790-1852). Geneva, Paris, 1968.
Pierre Cadet, Susse Frères - 150 Years of sculpture 1837-1987, Paris, 1992.
Peter Kjellberg, Les Bronzes du XIXième siècle, Paris 2008.

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