Lot 115: CIRCLE OF MICHAEL RYSBRACK (1693-1770), ENGLISH OR FLEMISH, LATE 17TH/ 18TH CENTURY

CIRCLE OF MICHAEL RYSBRACK (1693-1770), ENGLISH OR FLEMISH, LATE 17TH/ 18TH CENTURY CALLIOPE terracotta 45cm., 17 5/8 in.

The present female figure can be identified as Calliope, Muse of Epic Poetry, due to the presence of several heroic attributes (Persues' shield, Hercules' club and a laurel wreath) and a book. Given the incision of number VII to the reverse she clearly originates from a series of the Nine Muses, which often also included an Apollo. The loosely modelled but nonetheless finished appearance of this terracotta suggests it is one of the presentation models for a grand series of marbles.

Clearly inspired by the Antique, similar statuettes originated in Michael Rysbrack's circle, a good example being Rysbrack's Flora in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. A.9-1961). Several Flemish sculptors on the continent, like Artus Quellinus I and Marcus de Vos, are known to have created comparable terracotta models for large marble ensembles of such female figures.

RELATED LITERATURE
D. Bilbey and M. Trusted, British Sculpture 1470 to 2000. A concise catalogue of the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2002, p. 140, no. 193; The Van Herck collection. 17th and 18th century terracottas, Antwerp, 2000, pp. 64-5, no. 10; K.E. Steneberg, 'Le Blon, Quellinus, Millich and the Swedish Court ', M. von Platen (ed.), Queen Christina of Sweden. Documents and studies, Stockholm, 1966, pp. 332-364