Attributed to Giovanni Francesco Susini (1585-1653), Florence, first half of the 17th century Bull Bronze model Reddish-brown patina; resting on a later rectangular base of blackened wood and gilded bronze H.21 cm (8 ¼ in.) l.25 cm (9 ¾ in.) H. (with base) : 26,5 cm (10 ½ in.) Provenance: Former French private collection. Comparative bibliography : Edinburgh, London, Vienna, Royal Scottish Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and Kunsthistorisches Museum, Giambologna 1529-1608 Sculptor to the Medici, 19 Aug. - 10 Sep. 1978 and 2 Dec. 1978 - 28 Jan. 1979, C. Avery and A. Radcliffe eds, p. 192, no. 178. C. Avery, Giambologna - The Complete Sculpture, Oxford, 1987, no. 144, p. 270. A bronze model of pacing bull, attributed to Giovanni Francesco Susini (1585-1653), Florence, first half of the 17th century *Information for buyers: Lot from outside the EEC: to the commissions and taxes indicated in the general terms and conditions of purchase, import VAT (5.5% of the hammer price) must be added. *Information to the buyers : Lot from outside the EEC : an import tax (5,5 % of the hammer price) will be due, in addition to the commissions and taxes indicated in the general conditions of purchase. Renaissance interest in the representation of the domestic bull was inspired by various ancient prototypes. In his book on the sculptor Giambologna, Charles Avery suggests that his Bull was modelled after ancient bovine sculptures, although no specific sculptural source can be cited (Avery, 1987, op. cit. p. 56). Giambologna produced a small wax model of a bull that was probably cast and finished in the workshop of Antonio Susini and his nephew Giovanni Francesco Susini. This collaboration produced several examples of bulls, one of which, in the Smith College Museum of Art, Massachusetts (Avery and Radcliffe, loc. cit.), is very close to the bronze shown here. They are depicted in an almost identical pose and with very similar body modelling. Born in Florence in 1585, Giovanni Francesco, or Gianfrancesco, Susini was apprenticed to his uncle Antonio Susini (1558-1624), who had been the principal assistant and arguably the most accomplished bronze caster to the Flemish master sculptor Giambologna (1529-1608). To complete his training, Giovanni Francesco travelled to Rome around 1624-1626, where he studied newly discovered antique statues. On his return, he inherited his uncle's workshop in Via dei Pilastri after the latter's death in 1624. As well as creating new statuettes, he continued to produce, as Antonio had done, very careful casts of Giambologna's models, as shown by our bull. The quality of the casting, the transparent reddish-brown lacquer patina and the skill of the tools used to describe the different textures of the surface, such as the smooth hooves bordered by a line of tousled hair, are typical of Giovanni Francesco Susini. The fine detail of the hair between the ears and the care taken with the well-combed end of the bull's tail are further indications of the artist's hand. Another example by Giovanni Francesco is in the Princely Collections of Liechtenstein (inv. SK553), acquired by Prince Johann Adam Andreas I von Liechtenstein in 1696, and a very fine model from the Yves Saint Laurent collection sold at Christie's, Paris, on 24 February 2009, lot 589 (€121,000).