ATTRIBUTED TO BARTHÉLEMY PRIEUR (1536-1611), FRENCH, CIRCA 1600, | Pacing Stallion

Private, collection, United Kingdom, acquired in the 1980's.

RELATED LITERATURE
A. Radcliffe, N. Penny, The Robert H. Smith Collection. Art of the Renaissance 1500-1650, London, 2004;
C. Avery, M. Hall, Giambologna: An Exhibition of Sculpture by the Master and his Followers from the Collection of Michael Hall, Miami-Dade College Museum of Art, Freedom Tower, 2010.

Wear to the patina, notably to the high points, with remains of a dark varnish to the crevices. There are a few minor dents in some places consistent with age and handling. A restored break is visible to the proper left front leg of the horse, just above the cannonball, with a joint visible. The tail, cast separately, appears to be a later replacement. The wood base with a few minor scratches in some places and dents, notably along the edges. The bronze mounts with a few missing elements. Otherwise good condition overall. Precise cast, good in all details, notably on the horse-shoes and the veins visible. Measurements of the bronze: 15 x 17 x 5 cm; 17.5 cm high overall
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This horse derives from Giambologna's model for his equestrian monument to Cosimo I. Only a few casts are known, all of small size of slightly variable height (15 to 16 cm). Even though long regarded as Florentine circa 1600, this model is now attributed to Barthélemy Prieur. Two other bronze casts, one in the Bargello Museum in Florence, the other from the Robert H. Smith collection in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, have clipped untextured manes comparable to the present bronze. Another cast, with a more free-flowing mane, was formerly in the collection of Michael Hall (Christie's, New York, 11 June 2010, lot 169). The present bronze perfectly illustrates the majestic motion of a pacing horse. Its anatomy is accurately described, in a realistic manner, particularly in his swollen veins, the details of the horse's shoes, the folds of skin visible on his arched neck and his bent hock.