Théodore RIVIERE (1857-1912) - Lot 6

Théodore RIVIERE (1857-1912) Salammbô chez Mathô, Je t'aime! Je t'aime Ivory and bronze chryselephantine sculpture with shaded green-brown patina Signed on the terrace "Théodore Rivière". Cast by Susse, circa 1895-1900 Height: 62.5 cm Cited number : FR2207511510-K issued on 29/09/2022 Bibliography : - Explication des ouvrages de peinture, sculpture, architecture, gravure et lithographie des artistes vivants: exposés au Palais des Champs-Élysées le 1er Mai 1894, Paris, Paul Dupont, 1894, n°3536 - Pingeot, Anne; Le Normand-Romain, Antoinette; Margerie, Laure de, Musée d'Orsay. Catalog sommaire illustré des sculptures, Paris, Réunion des musées nationaux, 1986, p.280 - Victor Arwas, "Sculpture Art Déco". Academy Editions 1975, p6 - Pierre KJELLBERG "Les bronzes du XIXème - Dictionnaire des sculpteurs". Les Éditions de l'Amateur 1987, p572. - L'Art Nouveau en Europe 1890-1914, Sous la direction de Paul Greenhalgh, Collection Références, La Renaissance du livre, 2002, Model reproduced p122. - Pierre Cadet, Susse Frères, 150 Years of Sculpture, Edition Susse Frères Paris, 1992. A similar work exhibited at the Salon de la Société des artistes français - Palais des Champs Elysées in 1895, no. 3536. Acquired on that date, it is now held by the Musée d'Orsay (Inv. RF2521, LUX131). Théodore Rivière is one of the leading Orientalist sculptors. Not only did he draw inspiration from literary texts, but he also traveled extensively, in North Africa, the Far East and South America. The subject of the work is taken from Gustave Flaubert's novel Salammbô, published in 1862. The story takes place between 241 and 238 B.C., during Carthage's war against its rebellious mercenaries. The Libyan Mâthô, leader of the barbarian soldiers, is in love with Salammbô, the daughter of his Carthaginian enemy Hamilcar Barca. Rivière has chosen the moment when, massacred by the people, Mâthô expires at the feet of the beautiful girl, crying out: "I love you! I love you! Salammbô's femme fatale character inspired many other Symbolist artists.