103. Attributed to Denis Foyatier 1793-1836 Male Nude Bronze of Spartacus 19thCt


Superb Example of a Male Nude Bronze Superbly cast with well defined muscles and tendons of the Thracian Gladiator Spartacus leaning on a draped pedestal, standing on a well veined Sienna and black Marble stepped square base, third quarter of the Nineteenth Century

Condition: Superb untouched condition with good surface patination. The marble base is detached. No foundry marks visible.

Height: (entire) 21.5" (54.5cm). Width: (at base) 6.5" (16.5cm). Depth: (at base) 6.5” (16.5).

Shipped to Feldengel, Germany.

Denis Foyatier (French, 1793-1863):  Spartacus was Foyatier's most highly regarded model and led to much of the success he enjoyed throughout his career. Originally conceived whilst he was still training at the French Academy in Rome, the plaster version was exhibited at the Salon of 1827. Here it won such acclaim that the state commissioned a marble version for the Tuileries Garden, which is now in the Louvre. Foyatier then exhibited a large bronze version at the Exposition Universelle in 1855, which led various Parisian foundries to cast smaller versions for the open market. Jean-Jacques Feuchere's foundry added drapery to the composition to appeal to those buyers who were concerned about retaining the figure's modesty, as can be seen in the present example.