Lot 158: A BRONZE GROUP OF VENUS EDUCATING CUPID

A BRONZE GROUP OF VENUS EDUCATING CUPID
CIRCLE OF CORNEILLE VAN CLEVE (1646-1732), FRENCH, FIRST HALF 18TH CENTURY
Depicting Venus seated on a rock looking over the infant Cupid who reaches up to his mother with one hand and takes hold of one of two billing birds with the other; on an integrally cast naturalistic base and modern oval parcel-gilt ebonised wood plinth; greenish brown patina with lighter high points
12½ in. (31.8 cm.) high; 15½ in. (39.4 cm.) high, overall

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
New York, Knoedler and Co., The French Bronze 1500 to 1800, 1968, nos. 43A and B.

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
In its subject matter, the physiognomies and the frontal nature of the composition, this group is related to two pendant bronze groups of Venus Disarming Cupid and Psyche Discovering Cupid which are known in numerous examples. One pair of these was included in the exhibition of French bronzes at Knoedler and Co. (loc. cit.) where they were described as 'attributed to Corneille van Cleve'. Although this attribution remains controversial, the present delicately executed bronze is certainly influenced by his work. Van Cleve, who trained under Michel Anguier as well as spending time in Rome and Venice, had a hugely successful career, and worked extensively for Louis XIV at Versailles, as well as for private clients.