Théodore RIVIÈRE (Toulouse, 1857 - Paris, 1912) Carthage, 1892 Lost wax bronze, signed, with a spectacular polychrome patina, brown, green medal, copper and gold highlights. Titled and dated. Stamp of foundryman: "Susse Frère éditeurs". Height. 42 cm...

Théodore RIVIÈRE (Toulouse, 1857 - Paris, 1912) Carthage, 1892 Lost wax bronze, signed, with a spectacular polychrome patina, brown, green medal, copper and gold highlights. Titled and dated. Stamp of foundryman: "Susse Frère éditeurs". Height. 42 cm. Provenance : according to the family tradition, former collection Alfred Lamouroux (1840-1900) vice-president of the commission of the Old Paris (1897-1900) ; by inheritance, private collection, Berry. Carthage, bronze with a spectacular polychrome patina by Théodore Rivière in 1892. Bibliography: Élisabeth LEBON, Dictionnaire des Fondeurs de bronze d'art, Romainville, Marjon éditions, 2003, a model of the Susse edition reproduced p. 48. Orientalist sculptor and traveller, Rivière triumphed at the Salon des artistes français in 1895 with this group inspired by Gustave Flaubert's novel "Salammbô". The artist freezes for all eternity the moment when the barbarian leader Mâtho expires at the feet of Salammbô, the daughter of his Carthaginian enemy, shouting: "I love you! I love you!". The Musée du Luxembourg bought the work for 6,000 francs (Orsay, RF 2521, LUX 131), while the Musée des Beaux-arts de Dijon kept the original plaster sketch. The Sèvres manufactory obtained its edition in biscuit, but it was the Susse brothers who won the contract to sell it in several sizes. The virtuoso polychrome patina of our bronze fully participates in the impressionist and symbolist movements, tragically reinforcing the character of "femme fatale" that is Salammbô. Automatically translated by DeepL. To see the original version, click here.