Orpheus and Eurydice

The figure of Eurydice in particular is reminiscent of the female nudes by Giambologna (1529-1608), such as his bronze versions of the Woman Bathing, a composition which probably dates from the 1580s. The entwined figures recall perhaps even more forcefully the bronze figure groups by Giambologna's assistant and follower, Adriaen de Vries (1556-1626), such as his Hercules, Nessus and Deianara of 1603-8.

Baur (1681-1760) practised as both a sculptor and goldsmith. He trained in Augsburg under the sculptor Joseph Höschler (Heschler) from 1695-9, and then travelled, probably spending several years in Berlin, where he may have been influenced by the work of the sculptor and wax modeller Raimund Faltz, before returning to Augsburg, where he was working as a sculptor by 1708. He carved stone sculpture, and also produced designs for silver and furniture, as well as executing small-scale reliefs in wood, based on engraved sources.