BRONZE GROUP "BOREE ENLEVANT ORITHYE" AFTER LOUIS-SIMON BOIZOT (1743-1809)

Olive-green patina bronze proof depicting the Abduction of Orithye by Boreas. In Greek mythology, Orythia is an Athenian princess. She was abducted by Boreas, the North Wind, while dancing on the banks of the Illissos, the river that flows through Athens. It was in 1786 that Louis-Simon Boizot (1743-1809) designed the terracotta model of Boreas' Abduction of Orithye for the Sèvres porcelain factory; it was a counterpart to Pluto's Abduction of Proserpine. Boizot was inspired by a marble by Gaspard Marsy and Anselme Flamen for the former, and a marble by Girardon for the latter. Both groups met with immense success, and were quickly turned into bronze by Boizot, in collaboration with the best bronziers of the time, such as Pierre Gouthière (1732-1813), Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) and François Rémond (1747-1812). Similar groups are now on display at the Wallace Collection in London and the Musée du Petit Palais in Paris. Late 19th century French school. Good condition. Circa: 1880 Dim: W:25cm, D:21cm, H:54cm.