Fame (La Renommée)
Sculpture, free-standing bronze statuette on a pedestal base • After Giambologna (Giovanni da Bologna, 1529–1608); likely a French or Italian foundry production
Style & Movement
Mannerist style after the 16th-century original; produced during the late 19th-century academic revival
Medium & Technique
Patinated bronze; lost-wax casting or sand casting with hand-chasing and a dark chocolate/black chemical patina
Creation Period
Late 19th Century (c. 1870-1900)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24-32 inches in height; vertical/portrait format
Subject Description
An allegorical figure of Fame, depicted as a winged female (though wings are absent in this specific casting) or a slender youth balanced precariously on one toe, blowing a long trumpet. The figure representsheraldry and the spreading of renown. The base features a relief frieze with classical putti or mythological scenes.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the patina appears intact but shows potential surface dust and minor oxidation consistent with age
Estimated Market Value
$1,200 - $2,500
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,500
Provenance History
Unknown; likely part of a private collection, consistent with Grand Tour souvenirs or late Victorian interior decoration
Art Historical Significance
This is a classic 'Grand Tour' style reduction of Giambologna’s famous compositions. It demonstrates the enduring influence of Florentine Mannerism on European decorative arts and the 19th-century desire for domestic-scaled classical masterworks.
Notable Features
The dynamic 'figura serpentinata' (spiral pose) typical of Mannerism; the ornate relief pedestal which distinguishes it from simpler versions of the 'Flying Mercury' by the same artist.
Condition Issues
Slight surface wear to the trumpet neck; potential missing wings (standard for this model, but sometimes cast separately); dust accumulation in the crevices of the pedestal relief.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional dusting with a soft-bristled brush; microcrystalline wax (e.g., Renaissance Wax) to protect the patina; maintain in a stable humidity environment.