Mercury

Acquired by the museum in Paris in 1863 as a modern cast, the bronze is freely adapted from the version of Giambologna's Mercury in the Louvre. The Louvre bronze was sent to France from Florence in 1598, and is an example of a late type of Mercury evolved in Giambologna's workshop in the 1590s.

Born in Flanders Giovanni Bologna (1524-1608), or short Giambologna went to Rome to study antique sculpture from about 1550 to 1553. He then travelled through Florence where he was persuaded to stay. He became sculptor to the Medici family and thus became one of the most influential sculptors of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He drew attention to many artists from Northern Europe and disseminated his style mainly through small bronzes. He established an efficient and large workshop.