A highly detailed, with deep relief, sculptured wall bas-relief, from the collection of Lord Norton, Hams Hall, Warwickshire, sold by Spink and Son, 1926 (Cupid and Bacchus and Cupid recieved by Anacreon).
Bertel Thorvaldsen made the original sculptured bas-reliefs over the course of twenty-three years: Cupid and Bacchus (original plaster model probably Rome 1810), Cupid received by Anacreon (original plaster model, Rome 1823).
The latter relief is the only one of the two compositions in which the concave semi-circle was part of the original design, whereas the other compositions were originally conceived with square backgrounds.
These Reliefs are taken from Greek mythology, the first two subjects with Anacreon and Bacchus are based on the songs of the famous Ionian poet, Anacreon, who wrote a love song about opening his home to Cupid on a stormy night, after which Cupid pierces Anacreon's heart with his arrow.
Anacreon also wrote about drinking and the relief with Bacchus, the god of wine, shows him offering the young Cupid a bowl of wine, an allusion to the relationship between wine and love.
Thorvaldsen left Rome in 1838 to set up a workshop in his native Denmark.
The Thorvaldsen Museum was established in 1839 and houses his personal art collection and the contents of his workshop, including versions of his marbles, plaster casts, and original plaster models. Plaster models of all four reliefs are preserved there. These elegant and sensuous compositions reflect the artist’s desire to transform the austere, white marble of Carrara into a series of calm and rhythmic forms, which combined form these graceful and harmonious compositions.
Premium Marble Cast
Our sculptures are produced using a unique and proprietary dry casting process. Crafted with white Carrara marble, over 90% of each finished sculpture is composed of natural marble, giving it the authentic look and feel of genuine marble. Eighty percent of the process is dedicated to hand-finishing the surface. This intensive hand-finishing is essential to bring out the stone particles and enhance the natural stone feel. Each piece is meticulously completed by our skilled artisans, guaranteeing the highest level of craftsmanship and quality.
Owning one of our Premium White Carrara Marble Cast sculptures is like possessing a genuine piece of European craftsmanship, embodying a tradition of excellence and artistry. Unlike mass-produced alternatives, our sculptures are meticulously hand-finished, ensuring each piece is a unique and superior work of art.
Elevate your home with a timeless masterpiece. ❤️
Width: 27.7"
Depth: 2"
Weight: 30.8lbs