Attributed to Giovanni Francesco Susini (1585-1653), Florence, first half of the 17th century Bull Bronze model Standing on a later rectangular base of blackened wood with brass fillets H. 27 cm (10 ½ in.) l. 26 cm (10 ¼ in.) Comparative bibliographies: 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 the Pacing bull, attributed to Giovanni Francesco Susini (1585- c.1653), Florence, first half of the 17th century 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 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). Another model sold at Artcurial, Paris, on 17 December 2024, lot 27 (€25,000). *Information for buyers: Lot from outside the EU: The hammer price is exclusive of VAT. VAT at the reduced rate of 5.5% applies to the hammer price. This VAT is recoverable for French professionals. It is reimbursable for a buyer from outside the EU on presentation of proof of export from the EU or for a professional bidder providing proof of an intra-Community VAT number and a document proving delivery in the Member State. *Information to the buyers : Lot from outside the EU : The hammer price and premium will be VAT excluded. 5.5% VAT will be added to the hammer price and premium. Upon request, this VAT can be refunded to the purchaser on presentation of written proof of exportation outside EU, or to the EU purchaser who will submit his intracommunity VAT number and a proof of shipment to an EU country.