Stock No. 35783

Antique Marble Sculpture depicting ‘Reverie: In the Days of Sappho’

An antique Neoclassical statuary marble sculpture depicting an interpretation of ‘In the Days of Sappho’ also known as ‘Reverie’, after the oil painting by John William Godward (circa 1904). Crafted in campan green, violet breccia, and white statuary marble this sculpture shows Sappho, the Greek poet, classically dressed sitting on a Roman style bench. Sourced…

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£14,795.00

Dimensions

Depth: 8cm3.15in

Width: 18cm7.09in

Height: 143cm56.3in

Weight: 62kg136.69lbs

Metric
Imperial

Condition Report

Good structural condition. Rubbing and small chips to end of the scroll. There are historic repairs running from underneath the elbow through the seat and through the front foot.

Wear

Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses, scuffs, and scratches.

Date of Manufacture

Circa 1900

Maker

Unknown

Material

Campan Green Breccia Marble, Marble, Violet Breccia Marble, White Statuary Marble

Origin

France

Period

Late 19th / Early 20th Century

Style

Neoclassical

About this piece

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An antique Neoclassical statuary marble sculpture depicting an interpretation of ‘In the Days of Sappho’ also known as ‘Reverie’, after the oil painting by John William Godward (circa 1904).

Crafted in campan green, violet breccia, and white statuary marble this sculpture shows Sappho, the Greek poet, classically dressed sitting on a Roman style bench.

Sourced from a Scottish estate, this sculpture is well carved and of an impressive scale, showcasing striking detail in true Neoclassical style.

After the original antique oil painting, this is a magnificent piece of history that speaks to modern day culture, ready to take pride of place in any home.

Sappho

Sappho, from the Isle of Lesbos, was an ancient Greek lyric poet and known in antiquity for her love poems.

She wrote widely, but largely about the love between women. This introduced the term Lesbian to modern day culture.

In this decorative sculpture Sappho is depicted contemplating love on the veined marble bench, holding her poetry with a lyre beside her.

John William Godward (1851-1922)

Godward painted numerous artworks depicting beautiful women, usually seated or draped over a marble bench like this one.

His original oil painting ‘In the Days of Sappho’ sees her sat on a veined marble bench draped in a pastel tunic and an animals fur beneath her, looking straight at her painter, believed to be lost in her thoughts. The ocean and gardens stand behind her, showcasing the Isle of Lesbos.

Known for his Pre-Raphaelite and Neoclassical style, Godward exhibited his paintings regularly at the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of British Artists.

In recent times, Godward’s paintings have been acquired by many premier art collections worldwide, including the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, where the original painting of Sappho now resides.

Additional information

Weight 62 kg
Dimensions 8 × 18 × 143 cm
Date of Manufacture

Circa 1900

Maker

Material

, , ,

Origin

France

Period

Late 19th / Early 20th Century

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