Perseus Arming
Statuette
ca. 1882 (made)
ca. 1882 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bronze statuette of 'Perseus Arming' by Alfred Gilbert was cast around 1882, after a plaster model made in Rome in 1880-1881. It represents the nude figure of Perseus with a winged helmet and a sword in his left hand. He is looking down at a winged sandal which he has just strapped to his right foot.
The work was conceived when Gilbert was in Italy, studying Renaissance art. In Florence, he had been particularly struck by Donatello's bronze of David (Bargello), and Cellini's Perseus with the Head of Medusa (Loggia dei Lanzi). Of the latter, Gilbert said: 'amazed as I was by that great work, it still left me somewhat cold, insomuch that it failed to touch my sympathies. As at that time my whole thoughts were of my artistic equipment for the future, I conceived the idea that Perseus before becoming a hero was a mere mortal, and that he had to look to his equipment. That is a presage of my life and work at that time.' (Hatton 1903, p. 10). Gilbert's portrayal of the mythological hero was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1883, and received an honourable mention, which encouraged the young artist to 'go on writing my own history by symbol'.
Perseus was the son of Zeus and Danae and one of the archetypal heroes in Greek mythology. He defeated various monsters, one of them Medusa, whom he beheaded. Perseus is depicted either as the typical hero, young, beardless and naked (sometimes with a short cloak), or he is dressed as a warrior in armour. He holds a curved sword, a gift from Mercury and a polished shield given by his protector Minerva. He wears winged sandals.
Sir Alfred Gilbert (1854 - 1934) was a famous British sculptor of the late 19th century. He was also a medallist, goldsmith and draughtsman. He was known for his inventiveness, experimentation with alloys and patina and characteristically used various materials in the same work. Upon his many commissions for monuments and memorials is the celebrated Eros figure as part of the Shaftsbury memorial (1885-1893) on Piccadilly Circus.
The work was conceived when Gilbert was in Italy, studying Renaissance art. In Florence, he had been particularly struck by Donatello's bronze of David (Bargello), and Cellini's Perseus with the Head of Medusa (Loggia dei Lanzi). Of the latter, Gilbert said: 'amazed as I was by that great work, it still left me somewhat cold, insomuch that it failed to touch my sympathies. As at that time my whole thoughts were of my artistic equipment for the future, I conceived the idea that Perseus before becoming a hero was a mere mortal, and that he had to look to his equipment. That is a presage of my life and work at that time.' (Hatton 1903, p. 10). Gilbert's portrayal of the mythological hero was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1883, and received an honourable mention, which encouraged the young artist to 'go on writing my own history by symbol'.
Perseus was the son of Zeus and Danae and one of the archetypal heroes in Greek mythology. He defeated various monsters, one of them Medusa, whom he beheaded. Perseus is depicted either as the typical hero, young, beardless and naked (sometimes with a short cloak), or he is dressed as a warrior in armour. He holds a curved sword, a gift from Mercury and a polished shield given by his protector Minerva. He wears winged sandals.
Sir Alfred Gilbert (1854 - 1934) was a famous British sculptor of the late 19th century. He was also a medallist, goldsmith and draughtsman. He was known for his inventiveness, experimentation with alloys and patina and characteristically used various materials in the same work. Upon his many commissions for monuments and memorials is the celebrated Eros figure as part of the Shaftsbury memorial (1885-1893) on Piccadilly Circus.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Perseus Arming (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Cast bronze |
| Brief description | Statuette, bronze, 'Perseus Arming', by Sir Alfred Gilbert, English, ca. 1882 |
| Physical description | Nude figure of Perseus with a winged helmet and a sword in his left hand. He is looking down at a winged sandal which he has just strapped to his right foot. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'A. Gilbert' (on the circular base) |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | It has been suggested that this bronze is an unauthorised commercial copy. There is a reference to this piece in the correspondence between Gilbert and Rev. Brocklehurst in the archives of the Department of Western Art at the Ashmolean Museum. Gilbert suggested that the signature was evidence that the bronze was the work of pirates and pointed out that he never signed his work in that way. He said that he had written to the newspapers to express his indignation that such a work should be in the Victoria and Albert Museum. There is also a minute from Eric Maclagan in the Victoria and Albert Museum archives, dated 2 June 1911, concerning a visit by Herbert Wheeler, a friend of Gilbert, who commented that the Perseus Arming and other bronzes in the collection were commercial copies. Maclagan writes, 'I understand from Mr Watts that Gilbert himself called one Sunday afternoon four or five years ago and made a similar complaint particularly repudiating the Perseus.' [Registered File VA/150/7, Departments: Architecture and Sculpture, Inventory Questions] However, Nicholas Penny has argued that there is no difference in quality between this version and the authorised version in the Ashmolean. In the collection of Alfred Higgins at the time of his death. Purchased at the sale of a collection of plaquettes, statuettes, etc., the property of the late Alfred Higgins, Esq., C.B., held at Christie, Manson and Woods on 29 January 1904, lot no. 37; there described as Hermes. Purchased for £65 2s by Mr F.E. Whelan of Messrs Rollin and Feuardent on behalf of the Museum. |
| Historical context | Gilbert wanted to portray the Greek mythological hero Perseus as a 'mere mortal' preparing for combat. He saw the subject as foreshadowing his own life and work. It was exhibited at the Paris Salon, and received an honourable mention, which encouraged the young artist to 'go on writing my own history by symbol'. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This bronze statuette of 'Perseus Arming' by Alfred Gilbert was cast around 1882, after a plaster model made in Rome in 1880-1881. It represents the nude figure of Perseus with a winged helmet and a sword in his left hand. He is looking down at a winged sandal which he has just strapped to his right foot. The work was conceived when Gilbert was in Italy, studying Renaissance art. In Florence, he had been particularly struck by Donatello's bronze of David (Bargello), and Cellini's Perseus with the Head of Medusa (Loggia dei Lanzi). Of the latter, Gilbert said: 'amazed as I was by that great work, it still left me somewhat cold, insomuch that it failed to touch my sympathies. As at that time my whole thoughts were of my artistic equipment for the future, I conceived the idea that Perseus before becoming a hero was a mere mortal, and that he had to look to his equipment. That is a presage of my life and work at that time.' (Hatton 1903, p. 10). Gilbert's portrayal of the mythological hero was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1883, and received an honourable mention, which encouraged the young artist to 'go on writing my own history by symbol'. Perseus was the son of Zeus and Danae and one of the archetypal heroes in Greek mythology. He defeated various monsters, one of them Medusa, whom he beheaded. Perseus is depicted either as the typical hero, young, beardless and naked (sometimes with a short cloak), or he is dressed as a warrior in armour. He holds a curved sword, a gift from Mercury and a polished shield given by his protector Minerva. He wears winged sandals. Sir Alfred Gilbert (1854 - 1934) was a famous British sculptor of the late 19th century. He was also a medallist, goldsmith and draughtsman. He was known for his inventiveness, experimentation with alloys and patina and characteristically used various materials in the same work. Upon his many commissions for monuments and memorials is the celebrated Eros figure as part of the Shaftsbury memorial (1885-1893) on Piccadilly Circus. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 77-1904 |
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| Record created | August 20, 1998 |
| Record URL |
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