Spelter Bronze Spartan Soldier of Marathon Sculpture After Jean Pierre Cortot

Description

Antique Victorian painted spelter bronze sculpture depicting the figure of a man reclined on the rocky ground, with cloak and shield beneath him, holding up in the air a crystal topped torch, with the legend "Soldat Spartiate" (Spartan Soldier) along the front. This design is a variation on Jean-Pierre Cortot's original marble sculpture " Le Soldat de Marathon annonçant la victoire (“The Soldier of Marathon announcing the Victory”), which depicts the Greek soldier Pheidippides who ran the 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce a Greek battle victory. This variation adds modesty to the original work with an additional drape of fabric over the soldier's hips, and replaces his original palm leaf with the torch. This sculpture used to have an oil lantern and hurricane shade.

"The epitome of stoicism and the classical ideal, “Le Soldat de Marathon Annonçant la Victoire” was first presented by Cortot as a plaster model at the Salon of 1822 and is now conserved at the Musée municipal de Semur-en-Auxois. In 1831, Louis-Philippe, newly crowned, commissioned a marble version from Cortot for the state. This piece was part of a series of commissions celebrating the triumphs of antiquity and heroic figures renowned for their courage, devotion to patriotic or civic duty, and stoicism. Notable examples include Philopoemen by David d’Angers and Cato of Utica by Jean-Baptiste Roman, both now housed in the Louvre. Exhibited at the Salon of 1834, Cortot’s marble was initially placed in the Tuileries Gardens as a pendant to James Pradier’s Prometheus. It iwas added the Louvre’s permanent collection in Paris in 1877 (Inv. No. LP243). A popular and symbolic sculpture, its fame was amplified in the late 19th century when it was reproduced in bronze as a limited edition by Ferdinand Barbedienne in four sizes. The Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE marked a pivotal Greek victory over the Persians. According to legend, the soldier Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of the triumph, shouting “Nike!” (“Victory!”) before collapsing and dying from exhaustion. Cortot captures this historic moment, portraying the soldier as he collapses, raising the palm of victory in a gesture of pride and resolve. This embodiment of courage and patriotism reflects Cortot’s mastery of academic classicism." (Source: Adrian Alan)

"Jean-Pierre Cortot (20 August 1787 – 12 August 1843) was a French neoclassical sculptor. Cortot was born and died in Paris. He was educated at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris, and won the Prix de Rome in 1809, residing in the Villa Medici in Rome from 1810 to 1813. Cortot worked in an austere, correct, academic neo-classical style, heir to both classic French models from the late 18th century and the Greco-Roman tradition. His art took on a more romantic expression toward the end of his life. Appointed a professor at the École, succeeding Charles Dupaty, he was made a member of the Académie des beaux-arts in 1825, again replacing Dupaty. He was made an Officer of the Légion d'honneur in 1841. Among his students were Joseph-Marius Ramus, Jean-Jacques Feuchère, Pierre-Charles Simart, Jean-Auguste Barre, and the animalier Pierre Louis Rouillard. A street in Montmartre bears his name, and Cortot's grave can be found in Père Lachaise Cemetery." (Source: Wikipedia)

Condition

Fair condition, wear and distressing, rust, paint loss, repainted at some point, missing original oil lantern and hurricane shade, heavy.

Dimensions

16.75" x 6.75" x 15.25" (Width x Depth x Height)