The Rape of a Sabine Woman

after Giambologna, workshop of Giambologna [rejected attribution], c. 1600 - c. 1625

This complex group of three intertwined figures is a reduced copy of the monumental marble sculpture Giambologna made in 1583 for the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence, where it stands to this day. The composition is so ingenious that the statuette looks beautiful from all angles. This was quite an artistic challenge for sculptors in the late 16th century.

  • Artwork typefigure
  • Object numberBK-16938
  • Dimensionsheight 57 cm x width 21 cm x depth 25.5 cm x weight 11.4 kg
  • Physical characteristicsbronze with lacquer patina

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Identification

  • Title(s)

    The Rape of a Sabine Woman

  • Object type

  • Object number

    BK-16938

  • Description

    Op een rotsachtige bodem staat een overwinnende Romein met gespreide benen over een overwonnen, neergehurkte Sabijn, met beide armen een geroofde maagd boven zich uit dragend, waardoor hij schuin naar achteren doorbuigt; zij ligt diagonaal tegen zijn borst en op zijn linkerarm, waarmee hij haar rug en schouders omvat; zijn rechterhand ligt op haar dij. Zij wendt haar gelaat met geopende mond van hem af, waarbij zij de armen strekt, de vingers spreidt en de benen krampachtig tegen elkaar houdt. De neergehurkte Sabijn buigt zich onder de rug van de Romein links naar voren en ziet met vrees op naar de boven hem staande man; hij houdt de ene hand met gespreide vingers afwerend voor het gelaat en steunt met de andere op de rotsbodem.

Creation

  • Creation

    • sculptor: after Giambologna, Florence
    • bronze caster: anonymous, Southern Germany (possibly)
    • bronze caster: anonymous, Netherlands (possibly)
    • sculptor: workshop of Giambologna, Florence [rejected attribution]

  • Dating

    c. 1600 - c. 1625

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    bronze with lacquer patina

  • Dimensions

    height 57 cm x width 21 cm x depth 25.5 cm x weight 11.4 kg

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; from Dr Fritz Mannheimer (1890-1939), Amsterdam and Paris, fl. 6,350,000, en bloc, to Artistic & General Securities Ltd. as security for a loan from the Mendelssohn & Co. Bank, but kept in usufruct, 1934;{NHA, 476, RMA Archive, inv. no. 2142, Recapitulatie der geïnventariseerde kunstvoorwerpen van wijlen Dr F. Mannheimer, undated, p. 88, no. Br 53, Artistic no. 37/19; NHA, 233, Arrondissementsrechtbank Amsterdam, inv. no. 1365, “O.R. 256/1939, Faillissementsdossier: nalatenschap Dr. F. Mannheimer, 28 augustus 1939”, image 3, page 2.} purchased from Mendelssohn & Co. Bank, en bloc, by the Dienststelle Mühlmann, The Hague, for Adolf Hitler's Führermuseum, Linz, 1940;{Korthals Altes 1974, pp. 21-22.} war recuperation, SNK, 1945;{HNA, SNK Archive, 2.08.42, inv. no. 548.} on loan, with 1,702 other objects, from the DRVK to the museum, 1952;{Note RMA.} transferred to the museum, 1960

  • Remarks

    Please note that this provenance was formulated with a special focus on provenance research for the years 1933-45 and could therefore be incomplete. There may be more (mostly earlier) provenance information known in the museum. In case this item has an uncertain or incomplete provenance for the years 1933-45, the Rijksmuseum welcomes information and assistance in the investigation and clarification of the provenance of all works during that era.

Documentation

  • Jaarverslag van het Rijksmuseum 1953, p. 24

Persistent URL

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  • The Rape of a Sabine Woman
  • The Rape of a Sabine Woman
  • The Rape of a Sabine Woman
  • The Rape of a Sabine Woman
  • The Rape of a Sabine Woman