Dancing Fauna, Bronze after Eugène Louis Lequesne (1815-1887), Susse Frères Founders

A large edition, this bronze is nevertheless smaller than the almost two meter high edition which is still in the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. A faun reminiscent of the famous one from Pompeii dances acrobatically, his left foot struggling to keep his balance on a soft and unstable cushion. This imbalance thus creates this beautiful curve which arches the body of the faun towards the right. He plays the flute while on the ground are the thyrsus and the tambourine, essential for Dionysian festivities.
The sculptor Eugène Louis Lequesne (1815-1887) initially became a lawyer before turning to sculpture. He won the Prix de Rome in 1844 and went to Italy where he was inspired by antiquity. On his return to Europe he will work for the Louvre, the Opera, the Gare du Nord and the Palais de Justice. On his return to Europe he will work for the Louvre, the Opera, the Gare du Nord and the Palais de Justice.
Signature: “Lequesne” on the mound, signature of the founder: “Susse Frères E.Paris” and round stamp.