After Giambologna, Ferdinando Tacca (1619-1686), Florence, circa 1650 Flying Mercury Bronze figure Wearing a winged helmet and holding a caduceus; standing on a marble pedestal. H. 34.5 cm (13 ½ in.) H. (total): 41 cm (16 ¼ in.) Provenance: Former private American collection. Comparative bibliographies : C. Avery & A. Radcliffe, Giambologna: Sculptor to the Medici, exhibition catalogue, London, 1978, nos. 34 & 35, pp. 85-88. C. Avery, Giambologna: The Complete Sculpture, Oxford, 1987, pp.124-128. B. Strozzi & D. Zikos, Giambologna, gli dei, gli eroi, Milan, 2006, no.53- 57, p.259 -269. A bronze figure of Flying Mercury, after Giambologna, Ferdinando Tacca (1619-1686),Florence, circa 1650 The physiognomy of Mercury's face, with its wide-open, clearly delineated eyes, oval shape and delicately rendered curly locks of hair, suggests a high Baroque date, although it is inspired by an earlier model. In addition, the rendering of the figure's square, flat nails is a characteristic trait of Ferdinando Tacca's hand. Ferdinando Tacca is widely regarded as one of the greatest bronze sculptors working in Florence in the mid-seventeenth century. Ferdinando was the son of Pietro Tacca (1577-1640), the grand-ducal sculptor who succeeded Giambologna on his death in 1608. Although he began his career in Madrid, where he worked for the Spanish royal family, Ferdinando returned to Florence in 1640, where he succeeded his father Pietro as court sculptor to Ferdinando II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. When Ferdinando himself became director of the Borgo Pinti workshops, he was to have full access to Giambologna's models. Thanks to his intimate knowledge of the great Flemish master's working methods, Ferdinando specialised in creating exquisite bronze statuettes in his tradition. The present work is an unknown variant of the Giambologna model of the subject, of which four main types, all larger, are known. Although this model seems closer to the adolescent, slender type, it also includes the head of Zephyr from the almost life-size version. The current model is distinguished above all by the treatment of the hair in longer, fuller locks, which curl around the sides of the petascus, and by the left foot, which stands on the hair of a Zephyr that bears no resemblance to the known types. In addition, our bronze shows similarities with other versions of the adolescent Mercury as regards the forward inclination of the upper part of the body and the forward curling of the fingers of the right hand. This bronze could be related to the one described in the inventories of the collections of the French crown, described as "No. 271. A Mercury in the posture of flying away, his left foot resting on a wind or Zephir, thirteen inches [35.1 cm.] high, a very fine copy of the antique, estimated at two hundred livres". Anthea Brook confirmed the attribution during a visual inspection and we thank her for her contribution to the trial. *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.