Lot 74
European Continent, probably Italy, Baroque, ca. 1600 to 1700 CE. When we think of Baroque sculpture, we think of Bernini and his iconic Ecstasy of Theresa, countless angels and marble beings that conjure the theatrical, the dynamic, and the unrestrained . . . The sculptor who created this depiction of baby Jesus accompanied by a lamb - representing Jesus the Lamb of God - captured that same drama, emotion, and marvelous movement - remarkably out of stone, fine white and red (probably Verona) marble to be precise. We see a reclining, baby Jesus with hand drilled curly locks, rolls of supple flesh, and flowing robes cascading behind his body, holding a gentle lamb bearing a staff or possibly at one time a flag or cross that reads in part "DEI" and more than likely in its original form read "AGNUS DEI" (Lamb of God - the title of Jesus that appeared in the Gospel of John) as the figure of a lamb triumphantly bearing a cross or flag is the emblem of Christ as the ultimate sacrificial offering to God. [Note: In John chapter 1, verse 29, John the Baptist sees Jesus and exclaims, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."] Behind Christ is a cup-like form, intended for ceremonial use as this piece was most likely incorporated into a religious altar or work of religious architecture. Note it is attached to a red Italian (probably Verona) marble slab, making for a beautiful contrast to the white marble. This is a wondrous example from the elite collection of James Byrnes, the first curator of what is now the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Size: 21-1/2"L x 14"H x 11"D
From 1946 1953 James Byrnes was the first curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Los Angeles County Museum of History, Science, and Art, which is now known as LACMA. In the thirties, Byrnes had studied art in New York at the National Academy of Design, the Art Students League, and the American Artists School, where he had met many artists before WWII. Byrnes, who served in the Navy during WWII, heard from an officer that a job was opening at the County Museum, so he left his home state of New York and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his career.
Provenance: Ex-private James Byrnes collection, Los Angeles, CA. All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. #109950
- Condition: Several repaired breaks, but wonderful patina. Overall marvelous example!
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |