Bronze, with dark brown patina
France, around 1870
Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) – French bronze founder and manufacturer
Inscribed on the plinth ‘F. BARBEDIENNE, FONDEUR’
Round foundry stamp on the verso side of the plinth ‘Reduction Mecanique. A. Collas Brevete’
Scratched number on the underside ‘42’
Overall height: c. 63 cm
Dimensions of the plinth: 3 x 21.5 x 16.5 cm (height x width x depth)
Very good condition
Detailed bronze cast of Sophocles; after a 19th century’s Roman copy of a Greek sculpture created around 330 BC

The present bronze sculpture was manufactured by the French bronze founder Ferdinand Barbedienne, who was one of the most successful representatives of his business. It presumably depicts the Greek tragedian Sophocles according to a Roman statue created in 1839, which is now in the Vatican Museums and relates to a Greek statue presented at the Athens Theatre of Dionysos around 330 BC. Sophocles is shown in a standing posture, wearing a thick beard and a narrow band in his hair. His himation is richly draped and ends upon his sandals on his feet. The poet is enhanced by a small box of scrolls in the left corner of the rectangular plinth.



The bronze is signed on top of the plinth ‘F. BARBEDIENNE, FONDEUR’. The round foundry stamp is set on the verso side of the plinth ‘Reduction Mecanique. A. Collas Brevete’. Besides, there is a scratched number on the underside ‘42’. The bronze is in very good condition considering its age. Its overall height is 63 cm and the plinth measures 3 x 21.5 x 16.5 cm (height x width x depth).



Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892)

Ferdinand Barbedienne was one of the most important bronze foundrymen active in France in the 19th century. In 1839 he associated with the engineer Achille Collas (1795-1859) and founded the company ‘Collas et Barbedienne’. At the beginning they specialized in small-sized bronze casts that reproduced the works of contemporary artists, as well as of ancient Greek and Roman masters. After the death of his partner in 1859, Barbedienne extended his activities towards the casting of monumental bronzes. The company developed into a flourishing business that successfully produced for mainly export markets, since 1870. The outstanding quality of his production was repeatedly rewarded at the universal exhibition, including, for instance, the Grande Médaille d'Honneur in Paris, 1855. (cbo)

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