Adrien de Vries
Bacchic Figure Supporting the Globe
Rijksmuseum acquires masterpiece by Adriaen de Vries The Rijksmuseum has acquired the magnificent ‘Bacchic Figure Supporting the Globe’ by Adrien de Vries. The work was sold at Christie’s New York for $27,9 million.]]>
December 12, 2014, source: Rijksmuseum / Christie’s
Dated 1626 and probably the last autograph work by De Vries the bronze represents the mythological figure of Atlas, a nude man supporting the globe. It displays the virtuoso and highly individual modelling style for which the sculptor was celebrated during his lifetime. This exceptionally sketchy, free and tactile style reached its apogee in the final years of his life and shows him as a true artistic innovator, centuries ahead of his time. No other statue by De Vries has been in Dutch art collections until now.
Born in the Hague in 1556 the ´imperial sculptor’ Adriaen de Vries enjoyed his greatest successes abroad. After a career in Italy and Germany he was appointed court sculptor to Emperor Rudolph II in Prague in 1601, the greatest collector of art of his time. The sculptor remained in Prague until the end of his life, working on commissions for princes in many European countries.
The Mannerist sculpture, which is widely recognized as a masterpiece by the 17th century artist known as the “Dutch Michaelangelo”, was won by the museum after a tense three-way phone bidding battle that lasted four minutes and captivated the audience at Christie’s Rockefeller Center saleroom in New York. The final price with premium of $27,885,000 (£17,743,735/ €22,503,724) marks a new world auction record for any work by de Vries.
Wim Pijbes, General Director of the Rijksmuseum, commented: “Adriaen de Vries is the Dutch Michelangelo and his works are equally rare. Therefore it is absolutely great that we have been able to buy this fabulous sculpture for the Netherlands with the very generous support of many private donors and institutional funds.”
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Masterpiece by Adriaen de Vries to be auctioned at Christie’s (news, 2011)
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