Spectacular bronze group with brown patina taking up the famous marble sculpture by Jacques Bousseau and Pierre Lepautre: "Aeneas carrying Anchises, followed by Ascanius".
Very beautiful cast iron with rich details signed by Ferdinand Barbedienne. Height: 65cm.

The scene takes place during the fire and capture of the city of Troy by the Greeks.
Paris having entrusted Aeneas, son of Aphrodite, with the sword of Troy, the latter escapes from the city, carrying his father Anchises on his shoulders and taking his son Ascanius with him. The child, his gaze turned towards the city in flames, desperately seeking his mother Créüse, daughter of Priam.
Anchises preciously holds in her hands one of the Penates, protective deities of the house, the family and fire.

Very good state of conservation. Not cleaned. 

Barbedienne cast iron, signed. 
Collas mechanical reduction stamp.

Mid 19th century. 

Height: 65cm

The original work by Pierre Lepautre and Jacques Bousseau, in Carrara marble, is kept in the Louvre Museum. It is dated from the end of the 17th century.

History of the original work:
From a wax sketch entrusted by Girardon to Lepautre in April 1696, during the latter's visit to Paris. 
Wax model by Lepautre, completed at the French Academy in Rome, in November 1696. 
Large plaster model completed July 1697. Terracotta completed December 1697. 
Marble block issued September 17, 1697. Marble started October 1697. 
Third clay model, December 1697. Return to France of the sculptor, February 1701. Sent from Rome in April 1715 and placed unfinished in the park of Marly in August 1715. 
Completed with the help of Jacques Bousseau, in 1716. Placed in the Tuileries Garden, west of the circular basin in 1717, and retouched on site until 1718. 
Moved in 1858 and replaced in 1862 in the Reserved Garden, North side. 
Entered the Louvre in 1989 (Richelieu passage, 1989-1993).

Bibliography:
-M. Knoedler, The French Bronze, 1500 to 1800, New-York, 1968, fig. 57
-F. Souchal, French sculptors of the 17th and 18th centuries.