BRONZE SCULPTURE "THE WRESTLERS" AFTER PHILIPPE MAGNIER

A patinated bronze edition after Philippe Magnier (1648-1715), cast by the Barbedienne foundry using the Collas mechanical reproduction process. This sculpture depicts two nude men wrestling on the ground. They rest on a bumpy oval base. The bronze bears the Collas reproduction mark. This representation is based on the antique work by Philippe Magnier, created between 1684 and 1688, based on a work from the Uffizi Gallery. The original was intended for the park of the Palace of Versailles before being moved from the park of the Château de Marly. The bronze reproduction of this theme reflects the taste of the bourgeoisie under Louis-Philippe for classical themes prevalent in European museums. This is a 19th-century work. The Barbedienne foundry was a close collaboration, established in 1838, between Ferdinand Barbedienne and Achille Collas. They produced bronzes based on antique works using the mechanical reproduction technique invented by Collas. For them, this was an opportunity to democratize art by making it more accessible to the bourgeoisie of the time.

Louis-Philippe era

Circa: 1840

Dimensions: L:46cm, W:28cm, H:39cm.

Condition report: In very good condition