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Bronze Statue of Mercury-Signed Giambologna-Exquisite!
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Bronze Statue of Mercury-Signed Giambologna-Exquisite!
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Unique Bronze of Mercury (or Hermes) "signed" in the manner of Giambologna. Giambologna did four different versions of Mercury. His most famous, has perhaps had some over-exposure in that it is often associated first with a well known American Florist, and sadly not with it's original sculptor. Mercury was the Roman name for the Greek God Hermes. Mercury (Hermes) was the son of Zeus and Maia. He was god of commerce, wrestling, and gymnastic exercises, thieving, and what required skill and dexterity. Mercury was the messenger of Zeus, and wore a winged hat and winged shoes. He held a rod entwined with two serpents and wings, called the caduceus, and invented the lyre. The god of the thief, before he was a day old he stole Apollo's cattle. Finally Zeus ordered him to returned the cattle to Apollo. Apollo heard Mercury play the lyre. He like the music so much, that he decided to give Hermes his cattle and his shepherd staff in exchanged for the lyre. While Mercury was considered cunning and dishonest he was also helpful to mortals. He was the patron of traveller and wayfarers, He gave a sickle of admanate to Perseus to use to sever Medusa's head. He gave Odysseus a plant known as moly, that made the hero immune to Circe's magic. When the first woman was made who was named Pandora. She was made in heaven, every god contributing something to perfect her. Venus gave her beauty, Mercury persuasion, and Apollo gave her music. Other gifts were also provided by the gods.Along those lines, Giambologna also did multiple versions of Venus that established a model for beauty, influencing subsequent artist's portrayal of the goddess for centuries afterward. A short bio of the sculptor has been provided below for the curious minded. This Mercury is a reproduction of the less commercialized version of the antique piece. It demonstrates the emphasis on refined surfaces, cool elegance and beauty by which the renown sculptor is known. I have listed it as a vintage reproduction, which it is, but I am uncertain of it's exact age. It is a gorgeous piece measuring a total of 24 inches high x 9 inches at it's widest point. The base itself is 4 inches high, the top has a 3-1/2 inch diameter, and the bottom being 4-1/2 inches. Giovanni Bologna ( 1529 - August 13 , 1608 ), was a sculptor , known for his marble and bronze statuary in a late Renaissance or Mannerist style. Jean Boulogne from Douai, Flanders (now in France ), better known as Giambologna, also known as Giovanni Da Bologna was a driven worker, completely focused on his art and the reputation it could bring him.After youthful studies in Antwerp with the architect-sculptor Jacques du Broeucq , he moved to Italy in 1550 , and studied in Rome Pope Pius IV gave Giambologna his first major commission, the colossal bronze Neptune and subsidiary figures for the Fountain of Neptune (the base designed by Tommaso Laureti , 1566) in Bologna. Giambologna spent his most productive years in Florence , w he had settled in 1553. He became the Medici court sculptor, and died in Florence at the age of 79. He was interred in a chapel he designed himself in the Santissima Annunziata .This immigrant became one of the most influential sculptors in Italy between 1550 and 1600. He designed elaborate fountains for the aristocratic patrons of northern and central Italy , especially for the Medici, who wanted to incorporate large sculptural projects into the landscapes of their Tuscan residences. In addition to large-scale projects, Giambologna also created smaller scale works in bronze. His reputation among contemporaries derived in part from the wide distribution of his works through small-scale bronzes. His large workshop with its many assistants made these small bronzes and continued to reproduce them even after his death. These reproductions were so prized they were often given as diplomatic gifts to foreign envoys, ambassadors, and royalty. Giambologna became well known for a fine sense of action and movement, and a refined, differentiated surface finish. ... 
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