AFTER GIAMBOLOGNA (ITALIAN, 1529-1608): A 19TH CENTURY BRONZE FIGURE OF MARS

AFTER GIAMBOLOGNA (ITALIAN, 1529-1608): A 19TH CENTURY BRONZE FIGURE OF MARSthe nude god striding forth, a sword in his right hand and the head of a man in his left, raised on a canted rectangular plinth, inscribed 'J DE BOLOGNE', and 'Mars', dark brown patination with some reddish high points,40cm highCatalogue Note:In his depiction of Mars, Giambologna has captured a moment in time; where Mars having sighted the enemy, halts in mid stride and readies his sword for attack. The sculptor has used this theme to explore the physique of the male nude, the focus is on his strong and muscular body and his serious gaze, the usual attributes such as his helmet or spear are unnecessary as his physical and mental strength are depicted through the body and pose alone. The model is known as the Dresden Mars, after a cast made by Giambologna for the Elector of Saxony and Erzmarschall of the Holy Roman Empire Christian I, which was first documented in 1587 in the first inventory of the Dresden Kunstkammer.For a 16th century cast of Mars, see the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, L.2017.40.3.Related Literature: C. Avery, Giambologna. The Complete Sculpture, Oxford, 1987, pp. 137, 261, no. 69.