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Abundance

AfterAfter Barthélemy Prieur (Berzieux, France, c.1536 - 1611)

Mediumplaster cast

ClassificationsSculptures

Dimensions128 x 70 x 39cm

AcquisitionPresented in 1905 by Mr William Shepherd.

CopyrightOut of copyright

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS001662

Keywords

Ornament

About MeThis draped female figure with pleated hair and wearing a wreath holds in her left hand a tall cornucopia with fruit whilst with her right arm outstretched she offers fruit and foliage. She represents Abundance and is a late 19th century cast of one of three allegorical figures (the other two being Peace and Justice), which once adorned a funerary monument designed to hold the heart of the deceased Constable of France, Anne de Montmorency (1493–1567).

Barthélemy Prieur was born to a Huguenot family in Berzieux, Champagne (now in the department of the Marne). He travelled to Italy, where he worked from 1564 to 1568 for Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy in Turin. In Italy Prieur studied ancient sculpture and this draped figure, which is today in the Musée du Louvre, Paris, reflects the influence of ancient Roman art. Prieur returned to France and in 1571 began working under Jean Bullant at the Palais du Louvre. That same year he created the Monument, basing it on drawings by Jean Bullant and Martin Lefort.