Lot 82: - Charles-Raoul Verlet , French 1857-1923 La douleur d'Orphée (Orpheus' sorrow)

signed: Raoul Verlet and inscribed: F. BARBEDIENNE FONDEUR, PARIS, numbered: 679 and with the A. COLLAS REDUCTION MECANIQUE pastille

measurements note 125 cm., 49¼in.

La douleur d'Orphée vividly depicts Orpheus' anguish after having lost his beloved Eurydice forever to the underworld. He emerges in misery from the gates of hell, here guarded by Cerberus, having made the mistake to look at his lover while returning her to earth, thus breaking his promise to Hades. This model of Orpheus brought the sculptor great acclaim. When shown at the 1887 Salon it was purchased by the state and a prize of 4000 France, enabling him to travel through Italy for two years. It was perhaps also decided then to erect the bronze version on the place Malesherbes which was destroyed in 1942. Most importantly, Verlet was able to make the model available through the Barbedienne foundry, the present version being the largest of four sizes. RELATED LITERATURE
Kjellberg, p. 638-9; Rolin, annexe 1