Pierre-Etienne-Daniel Campagne (French, 1851-1910),Carved Marble Figure of a Nude Courtesan/Phryne Devant Ses Juges

Description:

Pierre-Etienne-Daniel Campagne (French, 1851-1910),Carved Marble Figure of a Nude Courtesan/Phryne Devant Ses Juges, the standing maiden disrobing, on square titled base with incised signature, ht. 34 in.

Note: Phryne was a 4th century Greek courtesan, famous for her beauty. Her real name was Mnesarete, and she is believed to have modeled for numerous artists during her lifetime. She was once called before a court on the grounds of profaning ceremonies related to the cults of Demeter and Persephone, but when she sensed she was losing her case, Phryne tore open her robes to display her naked body before the judges. They were either so transfixed by the perfection of her form, or swayed by the notion of the time that beauty was a mark of divine favor, that she was acquitted.
Estimate $8,000-10,000

Keywords