Carthage - Théodore Riviere (1857-1912)

"Carthage"
also known as "Salammbô at Mathô,I Love You! I Love You"

A bronze group with anuanced greenish brown patina
Signed on the base" Théodore Rivière "
and titled " Carthage "
Cast by " Susse Frs Edt " (with the foundrymark and stamp for "Susse Frères Editeur") 

France
circa 1895-1900
height 41,5 cm
width 24 cm
depth 15 cm 

Acquired in 1895 at the Salon of the French Artists for 6,000 francs atthe time. The subject of the work is taken from Gustave Flaubert's novel (Salammbô),published in 1862. The story takes place between 241 and 238 BC, during the warwaged by Carthage against his rebellious mercenaries. The Libyan Matho, leaderof the barbarian soldiers, is in love with Salammbô, the daughter of hisCarthaginian enemy Hamilcar Barca.Rivière chose the moment when, massacred by the people, Matho expiresat the feet of the beauty, screaming: I love you! I love you!The femme fatale character of Salammbô inspired many Symbolist artists.A plaster sketch of this sculpture model is preserved in the collections of theMusée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon. 

our web catalog link :https://galerietourbillon.com/riviere-theodore-salammbo-carthage/ Galerie Tourbillon : Free valuation - Buy and Sell at best prices

Biography :
Théodore Rivière (1857-1912) was a French sculptor. He received a traditional training atthe School of Fine Arts in Toulouse, then at the National School of Fine Artsin Paris. Rivière began his career under the influence of Falguière and Mercié.Discouraged by the failure, he was attracted by the journeys that led him toNorth Africa, the Far East and South America. The journey revealed him to hisart by bringing him, not only new themes of inspiration, borrowed a few timesin literature, but also a personal and innovative style whose flagship work wasSalammbô at Mathô. Back in Paris, Rivièrewas distinguished by a small-scale sculpture that he also applied to the nudeand the full-length portrait of his contemporaries. He combined materials withrefined polychrome that participate in the expression of his subject. Hecollaborated at the same time with editors of bronze and porcelain. Rivièrethus responded to the orientations desired by the Central Union of DecorativeArts and his own inclination for the theories of social art from 1900. Then hereturned to the statuary of his beginnings by adapting it to public monumentserected in Indochina and France, without abandoning however the decorativegenre that has earned him success.Théodore Rivière's sculpture, mostoften of literary and anecdotal inspiration, is worth not only by the qualitiesof life and movement expressed, but also by the refinement of forms. Thesubject of the work is from Gustave Flaubert's novel, Salammbô, published in1862. The story takes place between 241 and 238 before Christ, during the warwaged by Carthage against his rebellious mercenaries. The Libyan Mâthô, leaderof the barbarian soldiers, is in love with Salammbô, the daughter of hisCarthaginian enemy Hamilcar Barca. Rivierechose the moment when, massacred by the people, Mâthô expired at the feet ofthe beautiful, shouting: "I love you! I love you ! ". The femmefatale character Salammbô inspired many other Symbolist artists. This statuettecaused a sensation at the Salon of 1895 and continued to amaze at the UniversalExhibition of 1900 in Paris. It was then edited in bronze, bronze and ivory,and in porcelain biscuit of Sèvres.