Gérome - Bronze Sculpture Bathsheba In The Bath

Gilded bronze sculpture representing Bathsheba bathing. Signed on the terrace Gérôme and numbered 1323. Bears the stamp of the founder Siot Decauville in Paris (foundry active between 1881 and 1926). In good condition, small dent on the side of the base, see photos. The biblical story of David and Bathsheba has inspired several artists. King David saw in his palace a woman of great beauty who was taking a bath. Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite, an officer in his army on campaign. David fell in love with Bathsheba. He inquired about her and wrote her a message. He had her come to the palace. They went to the king's chamber, and succumbed to temptation. Some time later, she realized that she was pregnant and informed the king. To hide his sin and avoid both being condemned to death, David had Uriah come from the battlefield under the pretext of having news of the war but above all because he wanted Uriah to share the bed with his wife. He refused to enter his house because his comrades in arms continued to lead a hard life on the battlefield. David then wrote to the leader of his army so that Uriah was put in the front line where he had the greatest chance of being killed. This is what happened and after the period of mourning David married Bathsheba.