White Carrara marble group on an integral marble base.

Works by this prolific sculptor appeared regularly at the Paris Salon, starting in 1863, and included an extremely wide range of subjects such as allegories, figures from Classical mythology, national (particularly French) heroes and historical figures. Notable works include Persée délivrant Andromède (1880), Le Génie du Progrès (1885), Le Cid (1886) ,and Le Génie des Sciences (1894).   Picault’s works demonstrate a keen historical perspective tinged with an imaginative and innovative approach.  He employed several French  founders including Susse Freres, Colin and Houdebine.  

Few of Picault’s works appear in marble, most subjects being cast in bronze.  The present work appears in bronze and uniquely, as here, in marble.

In Greek mythology Hebe was the goddess of youth.  She was the cupbearer for the gods of Mount Olympus,  serving them nectar and ambrosia.

According to legend, Hebe was dismissed from her office in consequence of a fall which she met with one day when in attendance on the gods.  Her successor was Ganymede, whom Jupiter, in the disguise of an eagle, seized and carried off from Mount Ida.

A fine flamboyant portrayal of this classical subject by an accomplished hand.

Signed: E PICAULT with the following inscription:-

“Des mystérieuses profondeurs elle apporte à l’homme l’étincelle divine”
 (From the mysterious depths she brings to mankind the divine spark)

Height: 36.5 inches (93 cm)

Condition: Fine original unrestored condition

References:

Pierre Kjellberg: Bronzes of the 19th Century
[Schiffer, 1994] pp 542 and 543.