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Not currently on display at the V&A

Marsyas

Statue Marsyas
late seventeenth century - early eighteenth century (made)
Artist/Maker
Legros, Pierre (The Younger) (maker)
Place of origin
France (made)

In Greek mythology the satyr Marsyas challenged Apollo to a music contest. He was flayed alive as a punishment for challenging a God.

The ascription to Pierre II Legros, is based on the fact that a bronze version in Dresden was described as being by 'Von Legros' in an inventory dating from 1765.


Object details

Categories
Sculpture
Myths & Legends
Object type
Statue marsyas
TitleMarsyas
Materials and techniques
Marble
Marble
Brief description
Statue, marble, French, 17th-18th century, Pierre ii Legros
Physical description
Figure, marble. The satyr, Marsyas is standing tied to a tree stump by his right hoof, left wrist and raised right forearm. His head is turned to his left. He is girdled with laurel leaves. An animal skin hangs on the tree trunk and a syrinx lies on the ground. When acquired the lower left leg, with a section of the base under it had been broke off. This was repaired without make-up.
Dimensions
  • Height: 89.2cm
Object history
Bought from Christies, Lot 93 on 20th February 1969. The property of the late Mrs V M V Tennant.
Subject depicted
Marsyas
Summary
In Greek mythology the satyr Marsyas challenged Apollo to a music contest. He was flayed alive as a punishment for challenging a God.

The ascription to Pierre II Legros, is based on the fact that a bronze version in Dresden was described as being by 'Von Legros' in an inventory dating from 1765.
Bibliographic references
  • Baker, M, 'That most rare Master Monsii Le Gros and his Marsyas' in Burlington Magazine, October 1985, pp. 702-6, fig. 55.
  • Holshausen, W, 'Die Bronzen Augusts des Starken in Dresden' in Jahrbuch der preussischen Sammlungen, LX, 1939, p. 174.
  • Hannema, D, Beschrijvende catalogue van de schilderijon, beeldheuwerken, aquarellen en tekeningen behorende tot de verzameling van de Stichting Hannema-De Stuers Fundatie...bij Heine Overijssel, Rotterdam, 1964, p. 104, No. 482.
  • Catalogue historique du cabinet de peinture et sculpture francaise de M. de. la Live, Paris, 1764, p. 106.
  • Thomassin, S, Recueil des figures, groupes, thermes...de Versailles, Paris, 1695, pl. 149, 151 and 157.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.158-1969

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O313079/marsyas-statue-marsyas-legros-pierre-the/
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