Jean-Alexandre-Joseph Falguière [1831-1900]
France
La Femme au paon [Juno and the peacock], ca.1890
Hand-carved marble
21 x 13 diameter inches
Signed lower.

CONDITION:
Weathered spotting with slight chip to tail of Peacock.

DESCRIPTION:
This work, La femme au paon [Juno and the peacock] is based on the myth of a peacock petitioning the goddess Juno to award her in addition to her existing beautiful plumage a pretty singing voice. Juno turned the peacock down, telling the bird that she should be happy with your lot and be thankful for what she has. This tale is introduced across eras and can even be found as an Aesop’s fable. The work is a smaller version of a larger one the artist showed at the Paris Salon in 1890. The choice of subject may have been spurred on by the extreme tumult of Paris in 1890. Politically and morally the country and especially the city was going through great change.

PROVENANCE:
2019 ( David Smernoff, New Haven, CT and New York, NY ) ;
before 2019 [withheld dealer], Bridgeport, CT ;
ca.1890 Alexandre Falguiere [1831-1900], the artist .

EXHIBITION:
2021 David Smernoff, New Haven, CT and New York, NY “Radically traditionally modern : the rise of Art Nouveau an exhibition designed by JON x NY”, January 18 – February 14.