This bronze statuette 'Perseus Arming' is made by Sir Alfred Gilbert in the late 19th century in England. 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.
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'.
In Greek mythology 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 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.
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.
Place of Origin
England, Great Britain (made)
Date
ca. 1882 (made)
Artist/maker
Gilbert, Alfred (Sir), born 1854 - died 1934 (sculptor)
Materials and Techniques
Cast bronze
Marks and inscriptions
'A. Gilbert'
Dimensions
Height: 37 cm, Height: 37 cm
Object history note
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 note
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'.
Descriptive line
Statuette, bronze, 'Perseus Arming', by Sir Alfred Gilbert, English, ca. 1882
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
McAllister, Isabel, Alfred Gilbert, 1929, pp.55-57
Penny, Nicholas. Catalogue...Ashmolean Museum'. Oxford, 1992. Vol.III, p.71
'The 'inferior' production in the Victoria and Albert Museum [77-1904] turns out not to be an aftercast as one might suppose or even a poorly finished cast but to be identical in quality to the authorised version in Brocklebank's collection.'
Another version, Ashmolean Museum, Cat. No. 497.
'Leighton and His Sculpural Legacy'. In: British Sculpture 1875-1930. 1996. p.42., Cat. No.13. Catalogue of an exhibition organised by Joanna Barnes Fine Arts held at the Matthiesen Gallery, February 1996
Curtis, Penelope and Terry Friedman eds. Leeds Sculpture Collections: Illustrated Concise Catalogue. Leeds, 1996. p.13
Another version , Leeds City Art Gallery, Inv. No: SW 334/25.
Sensuality and Symbolism. 1997. p.52. Catalogue of an exhibition at Robert Bowman Ltd, November 1997
Another version.
Dorment, Richard. Alfred Gilbert. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1985, pp.38-42
Beattie, Susan. The New Sculpture. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1983
Forrest, Michael. Art Bronzes. Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publications, 1988, p.322
Cooper, Jeremy. 19th Century Romantic Bronzes. London: David and Charles, 1975, pp.70-75
Christies. London, 14 February 1991, Cat. No.29. Sale Catalogue
Dorment, Richard, et al, Alfred Gilbert: Sculptor and Goldsmith, London: Weidenfeld and Nicholson, 1986, pp.14, 21-23, 106-108, Cat. No.11, Catalogue to an exhibition held at the Royal Academy of Arts
The Fine Art Society. Exhibition Catalogue. Gibson to Gilbert- British Sculpture 1840-1914., London,1992, pp. 53-5
Sir Alfred Gilbert and The New Sculpture, British Sculpture 1850-1930. London: The Fine Art Society, 2008, p. 44
Bilbey, Diane with Trusted, Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470 to 2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: V& A Publications, 2002, pp. 275-6
Inventory of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1903 - 1904. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1904, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Wyman and Sons, Limited, 1908, p. 15
Labels and date
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'. [March 2007]
Materials
Bronze
Techniques
Casting
Subjects depicted
Sword; Helmet; Perseus; Sandal
Categories
Metalwork; Sculpture; Myths & Legends
Collection code
SCP
