Marble Group After Giambologna, "the Abduction Of The Sabines", Naples, 19t

Attractive Carrara marble reproduction of the famous group by Giambologna in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. The statue is made from a single block of marble. It presents three figures: at the foot of the statue, an elderly bearded naked man is kneeling on the ground, his left arm raised in defense; a second younger naked man, astride the kneeling man, holds a fighting naked woman in his strong arms. The kneeling man represents the aged and weak husband of the young Sabina who is kidnapped by the young Roman. All three are imbricated in the group by physical contact and by the gaze. The impression of a twisting movement is caused by the outstretched arms of the woman, continues with the muscular figure of the young kidnapper, encircles the body of his prey and ends with the raised arm of the dominated man. The use of exaggerated gestures and the artist's ability to convey a sense of intense energy characterize his mannerism. The dynamic figurative composition coils into a twisted figura serpentinata with no frontal upward view. This is one of the unique attributes of the statue - it offers multiple viewing angles and its effect varies depending on the position of the viewer. Naples 19th