A bronze figure of Mars
Cast bronze with golden brown patina. Depicting the Roman god of war in a striding pose with arms out stretched and his head facing towards the left. In contrast to Giambologna's design, the foremost hand would originally have grasped a (now missing) sword. With a breakage on the left thumb, two drilled holes in the back, and a repaired casting flaw on the neck. H 38.1 cm. Attached to a polished black marble plinth with later applied iron prickets beneath the feet. H 41.8, W 19, D 14.6 cm.
After Giambologna, 17th / 19th century.
Born in Flanders, the artist Giovanni da Bologna (1524 - 1608), who went under the name Giambologna, is thought to have resided in Rome from around 1550 to 1553 in order to study ancient sculpture. He was hired by the Medici in Florence in 1561. He became one of the most influential sculptors of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, with many artists being inspired by his bronzes. He also established a large and efficient workshop. Copies and variations of his models were produced long after his death in 1608.
The striding Mars is one of his most famous bronze sculptures. After his death, the model was cast by his assistent Antonio Susini (1572 - 1624) and later still by his nephew and successor Gianfrancesco Susini (c. 1585 - 1653). Numerous life time and posthumous casts can be found, among other places, in the Staatliche Kunstsammlung Dresden, the Castello Sforzesco in Milan, the Victoria and Albert Museum London and in the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum Braunschweig.
Literature
Cf. cat. Beschwörung des Cosmos. Europäische Bronzen der Renaissance, Duisburg 1994, no. 21.