Mercury and Fame Seated on Pegasus Cast by Eugène Cornu (1827-1899)

Object Description

Mercury and Fame Seated on Pegasus
After Antoine Coysevox (1640-1720)

Cast by Eugène Cornu (1827-1899)

Mounted on Rouge de Languedoc marble bases, the patinated bronze sculptures representing Fame and Mercury. Fame is portrayed wearing a laurel wreath and holding an olive branch, symbolizing victory and peace, while blowing the Trumpet of Truth to proclaim Louis XIV’s military prowess. Below her, trophies, including a shield adorned with a winged Victory holding a palm and crown leaning against the armour of Hercules, further emphasize the theme of triumph. Mercury, the divine messenger and god of commerce, represents a return to peace. The trophies beneath him feature a shield decorated with Minerva, the goddess of war, highlighting the balance between war and peace during Louis XIV’s reign. Signed by Cornu.
French, circa 1880

This impressive pair of bronze sculptures, cast by Eugène Cornu, are faithful reduced editions of Antoine Coysevox’s renowned equestrian groups depicting Mercury and Fame (Renommée) astride the mythological winged horse, Pegasus. The original marble sculptures were commissioned by Louis XIV in 1699 and completed in 1702 for the Château de Marly. They were later relocated to the Tuileries Garden in 1719 and are currently housed in the Musée du Louvre, Paris.

Object History

Provenance: Private Collection, Nice, France

Object Literature

Antoine Coysevox (1640-1720)

Antoine Coysevox was a prominent sculptor of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, celebrated for his dynamic compositions and expressive detail. His original marble sculptures of Mercury and Fame are masterpieces of Baroque art, reflecting the grandeur and authority of Louis XIV’s France. By commissioning these works, Louis XIV sought to convey his dominance in both war and peace, using classical mythology to draw parallels between his reign and the divine.

Eugène Cornu (1827-1899)

Eugène Cornu’s 19th-century bronze casts of Coysevox’s originals demonstrate the enduring appeal of Baroque aesthetics and the continued reverence for Louis XIV’s legacy in French art. Cornu, known for his his role as director of the Société des Marbres et Onyx D’algérie, brought a 19th-century sensibility to these editions, evident in the meticulous casting and the choice of the Rouge de Languedoc marble bases.

Object Condition

Excellent condition

Object Details