BUST IN BRONZE "HYPOAIADE", SIGNED GEORGES COUDRAY

Bronze bust with brown patina, titled in Greek"Hypoaiade" on the base of the pedestal and signed " George Coudray" on the left side. "Hypoaiade" depicts a woman draped in the Antique style and wearing a beaded tiara holding her hair above her neck in a loose bun. The bronze bears the founder's mark"CH. GAUTIER BRONZIER" on the base.

Herodias, granddaughter of Herod the Great, married his uncle Herod, with whom she had the child Salome, according to the Judeo-Roman historiographer Flavius Josephus. Then, while still alive, she left her husband to marry Herod Antipas, another uncle who repudiated Phasaelis, daughter of the Nabataean king Aretas IV. This marriage led to tensions with the Nabataean kingdom, culminating in a battle that Herod Antipas lost. This defeat was seen by the population as divine vengeance to punish him for having executed John the Baptist. According to the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Salome dances before her father-in-law Herod Antipas, who is charmed by her and willing to grant her anything she wishes. Herodiades asks for and obtains from his daughter the head of John the Baptist. A cousin of Christ, this charismatic and popular man whom Herod Antipas seems to fear, did not hesitate to tell him: "It is not permitted for you to have your brother's wife as your wife." Later, Herod Antipas irritated the Romans with his excessive power, and was deposed by the emperor Caligula. He was exiled to southern Gaul. Herodiade chose to follow him.

Georges Charles Coudray (1862-1944) was a French sculptor and medalist. He was a pupil of Alexandre Falguière at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he entered in 1884, and made his debut at the Salon in 1883, where he exhibited regularly until 1890. He is known for his female figures (busts and statuettes) of oriental inspiration, more specifically Egyptian and Greek.

19th century

Circa: 1880 

Condition report: In good condition. Light wear to patina.

Base dimensions: L: 18 cm; D: 15 cm