Bronze David And Goliath Signed Mercié

Large bronze representing the victorious King David, one foot on the head of Goliath that he has just cut off. Height: 94.5 cm Mechanical reduction stamp (Barbedienne cast iron). Signed A. Mercié. Antonin Mercié was a sculptor and painter born in Toulouse in 1845. Encouraged by Falguière, he left for Paris to become his favorite student. Prix de Rome in 1868 at the age of 23, he discovered the sculptures of the 15th century and found inspiration from Ghiberti, Donatello and Verrochio. It is possible that in sculpting his David, he wanted to compete with the greatest of the Renaissance. His David represents a slender, relaxed young man, one foot on the head of Goliath, he simply puts the sword back in its scabbard seeming to complete a simple routine task. This delicate work is somewhat orientalist by a frieze with arabesques an oriental sword. It shows all the greatness, strength and will of this mythical king. The excellent founder Barbedienne used the Collas process of mechanical reduction. Model at the Musée d'Orsay.