Emmanuel Hannaux

EMMANUEL HANNAUX (Metz, 1885 - Paris, 1934).
"Mercury or Young Warrior", 1894.
Patinated bronze bust on stepped rouge marble base.
Signed E. Hannaux 1894 on his left shoulder.
Foundry mark from Colin & Cie, Paris.
Measurements: 57 cm (total) x 44 x 25 cm.
In Roman mythology, Mercury, son of Jupiter and Maia Maiestas, was an important god of commerce. In his earliest forms he is related to the Etruscan deity Turms, but his characteristics and mythology are borrowed from the analogous Greek god Hermes. He had essentially the same aspects as Hermes, wearing the thalarias and the winged petassus, and carrying the caduceus, a herald's staff with two intertwined serpents that Apollo gave to Hermes. On this occasion Emmanuel Hannaux depicts him as a handsome young man turning his head in its entirety, without looking at his forehead. He wears a metallic helmet decorated with plant motifs.
Emmanuel Hannaux began studying at the industrial school in Strasbourg, but returned to Metz at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war in 1870. He continued his studies at the School of Modelling and Sculpture. In 1876 he moved to Paris, where he was admitted to the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and taught under Dumont, Thomas and Bonassieux. At the 1889 Salon, Hannaux won the third medal for his "Le Bûcheron"; in the same year he received the second medal for his patriotic group "Le Drapeau", now in the Musée de Draguignan; and in 1894 he received the first medal for his "Orphée Mourant", now in the Musée de Luxembourg. His work is now in the Musée de Puy. He made busts for many personalities. At the 1903 Salon, Hannaux was awarded the Medal of Honour.

COMMENTS

In good condition due to age.