- 60
Émile-Louis Picault French, 1883-1915
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- Émile-Louis Picault
- KING MENTHUOPHIS
- signed E. PICAULT and with the Georges Servant foundry seal
- bronze, gilt and dark brown patinated on a black and rouge de France marble base
- height 31 in.
- 79 cm
Literature
Pierre Kjellberg, Bronzes of the 19th Century: Dictionary of Sculptors, London, 1994, pp. 542-3
Condition
Overall in good condition and presentation. Minute chips to edges of marble base. The patinated bronze shows light original green hue, and there are traces of old brown wax in crevices. There is light wear to patina in a few high relief places. The gilt highlights are not original and are gold paint, as visible in the catalogue illustrations. Those highlights have losses.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
The present model was created by Picault as a pendant group with Queen Nitocris. The legendary Queen Nitocris succeeded Menthuophis (who was either her brother or her husband) as ruler of Egypt following his murder circa 2200 BC. In Nitocris' six year reign there were two particularly important events: the completion of the Third Pyramid and the dreadful revenge against the murderers of Menthuophis. Nitocris instigated the latter by organising a banquet for all the accomplices in a purposefully constructed underground chamber. During the feast the chamber was suddenly flooded with water channeled from the Nile through a hidden pipe. Everyone drowned, apart from Nitocris herself, who had arranged an escape.
Picault was a student under Royer and exhibited a wide genre of sculpture at the Salon between 1863-1909. His Egyptian figures, including this sculpture and its pendant Nitocris as well as Hierogrammate and Pastophore (High Priest and Scribe), are some of his most sought after works.
Picault was a student under Royer and exhibited a wide genre of sculpture at the Salon between 1863-1909. His Egyptian figures, including this sculpture and its pendant Nitocris as well as Hierogrammate and Pastophore (High Priest and Scribe), are some of his most sought after works.