CA0356 Large Grand Tour bronze of Marsyas, The Satyr Playing the Flute

Good quality, large scale 19th century Grand Tour dark patinated bronze of The Satyr Playing the Flute after the antique original in the Capitoline Museum, Rome. The satyr Marsyas is depicted playing the flute, standing against a column, draped with a skin, a references to Apollo's forthcoming punishment. In Greek mythology, the satyr Marsyas is a central figure in two stories: in one, he picked up the double oboe that had been abandoned by Athena and played it; in the other, he challenged Apollo to a contest of music and lost his hide and life. Since the contest was judged by the Muses, Marsyas naturally lost and was flayed in a cave near Celaenae for his hubris to challenge a god. Good large heavy example presented on an associated white marble footed base. French School, circa 1860.

Marsyas figure: H 53.75 x W 21cm x D 14cm
Associated base: H 7.5cm x W 27.5cm x D 19.5cm