JEAN ANTONIN MERCIÉ, FRENCH (1845-1916): A BRONZE FIGURE OF 'DAVID VAINQUEUR' CAST BY BARBEDIENNE, the semi nude figure of David with one foot resting on the head of the giant Goliath, holding his sword, on a circular base with Arabesque relief decoration, signed 'A. Mercie', 'F. BARBEDIENNE FONDEUR', with 'REDUCTION MECHANIQUE A. COLLAS BREVETE' stamp, mid brown patination,

73cm high

Property from an English Private Collection.

Condition: In very good condition with a rich brown patina.

Mercié was born in Toulouse and made his debut at the Salon in 1868. He won the Grand Prix de Rome that same year for his work 'Theseuse vainqueur du Minotaure' and this enabled him to study in Rome where he stayed for four years. It was during this time that he produced two of his most famous works 'Gloria Victus' and 'David with the Head of Goliath', the latter work was very much influenced by Donatello's 'David' as well as Cellini's 'Perseus with the Head of Medusa'. He won a first class medal for the work when it was exhibited at the Salon of 1872.

This model features in the Barbedienne catalogue of 1880, on page 47. It was produced in three sizes at 1,250 francs, 800 francs and 550 francs respectively.

Related Literature: P. Kjellberg Les Bronzes Du XIXe Siecle, Les Editions de L'Amateur, Paris.