Bidspirit auction | Sculpture After the Famous Work

Sculpture After the Famous Work by Giovanni Bologna (Giambologna) - The Rape of the Sabine Women - The sculpture is made of copper with a patina-like coating on bronze, unsigned, mounted on a high-quality red Griotte marble base. Base dimensions: 15X15 cm Total height: 48.5 cm (* ”The Rape of the Sabine Women” is likely one of the most famous sculptures displayed at the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. Created by Giambologna, it depicts an episode from ancient Roman history: a young Roman seizes and lifts a young Sabine woman. Below, an older man, presumably the woman's father, tries to block the abductor. The abducted woman attempts to break free, stretching her arms in terror. Her facial expression is clearly desperate. The same despair, stemming from a sense of helplessness, is evident on the face of the kneeling old man. The figures represent an episode from antiquity. For this reason and stylistic reasons, the figures are depicted nude. The abduction of the Sabine women is a mythological event associated with the founding of Rome. It was a political and strategic move initiated by Romulus; after founding Rome in 753 BCE, the ruler found himself needing to find partners for his citizens. The abduction occurred during a grand spectacle organized in honor of the city, attended by various peoples, including the Ceninensi, Antemnati, Crustumini, and the Sabines. During the event, and at Romulus's signal, his men—armed—took control of the unmarried women. Historical sources do not report the details clearly. - From the Encyclopedia)