Sculptures for sale at Sotheby’s

14/11/23 - Art Market - Paris - Neptune and Juno emerge from the marble. These reliefs, attributed to the entourage of Jean Goujon and dated between 1550 and 1570, were part of a set depicting the four elements (ill. 1). Juno on her chariot, drawn by peacocks, represents air and Neptune water, standing on a conch shell, surrounded by dolphins and sea horses. Vulcan, fire, and Cybele, earth, are missing to complete the series; they have not been located, but we can get an idea of their composition from a clock by Pierre-Louis Delacroix, kept at Buckingham Palace, the base of which features the four reliefs.

1. Entourage of Jean Goujon (1510-1567)
Junon and Neptune, c. 1550-1570
Marble
Juno: 65.5 x 38.2 x 2.3 cm ;
Neptune: 66 x 38.2 x 3.2 cm ;
Sotheby’s Paris sale, 15 November 2023
Photo: bbsg

See the image in its page

While these works are close to creations by the famous Jean Goujon, they cannot be attributed to him; we do not find the tight, wet drapery characteristic of his hand, nor the same depth of relief. The sculptor, who created the famous Fontaine des Innocents currently being restored (see article), was featured in the Écouen exhibition "Le renouveau de la passion. Religious sculpture between Chartres and Paris around 1540" (see article).
In any case, these reliefs betray both Italian and French influences, particularly those of the Fontainebleau School. They are similar to the work of Pierre Bontemps, known for the bas-reliefs that adorn the tomb of François I at Saint-Denis.

2. After a model by Gaspard (1624-1681) and Balthazar Marsy (1628-1674)Latona and her Children, c. 1700-1710
Actaeon and the Dogs , c. 1700-1710
Bronze - H. 47 & 48 cm
Sotheby’s Paris sale, 15 November 2023
Photo: Sotheby’s Paris

See the image in its page

Thus Sotheby’s will be auctioning an anthology of sculptures from the 16th to the 19th centuries in Paris on 15 November. The 17th century is represented, for example, by the