Mercury and Psyche

Louis Gasne, c. 1903 - c. 1904

This sculpture is a copy of a famous work by Adriaen de Vries now in the Louvre. De Vries worked at Giambologna’s studio in Italy and for Emperor Rudolf II in Prague. As a result he enjoyed considerable fame abroad, while remaining relatively obscure in the Netherlands. This copy was commissioned in 1890 for the Rijksmuseum garden.

  • Artwork typesculpture
  • Object numberBK-1996-2
  • Dimensionsheight 258 cm x diameter 67.5 cm (plinth), weight 450 kg
  • Physical characteristicsbronze

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Mercury and Psyche

  • Object type

  • Object number

    BK-1996-2

  • Description

    Mercurius en psyche, brons met groenige patina. Gesigneerd: ADRIANUS FRIES HAGENSIS BATAVUS FECIT (OP VOET). Gietersmerk: Fondu par L. Gasne.Paris (op voet).

  • Inscriptions / marks

    • inscription, on the plinth, integrally cast: ‘fondu par L. GASNE paris’
    • signature, on the plinth, integrally cast: ‘ADRIANVS FRIES HAGIENSIS BATAVVS FECIT’

  • Part of catalogue

Creation

  • Creation

    • bronze caster: Louis Gasne, Paris
    • designer: copy after Adriaen de Vries, Prague

  • Dating

    c. 1903 - c. 1904

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    bronze

  • Dimensions

    • height 258 cm x diameter 67.5 cm (plinth)
    • weight 450 kg

Explanatory note

  • Deze kopie is in 1890 besteld voor de tuin van het Rijksmuseum. Het origineel uit 1593 bevindt zich in het Louvre onder inv. no. M.R. 3270.

Acquisition and rights

  • Acquisition

    purchase 1890

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    Cast (made by Louis Gasne from the original in the Louvre) commissioned by the museum, c. 1903/04; placed in the garden, 1904; transferred to the first floor of the east wing, 1935;{_Verslagen omtrent ’s Rijks verzamelingen van geschiedenis en kunst_ 1935, p. 18. See the ground plan from F.D.O. Obreen, _Wegwijzer door ’s Rijksmuseum te Amsterdam_, Schiedam 1887. The sculpture was placed in the passage (gallery 221) between the Portrait Gallery (214) and the so-called Van der Poll Room (225).} …; transferred to the garden (east side, on the corner of Museumstraat and Hobbemastraat), 2013

Documentation

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