Phoebe by Eugène Marioton (1857 - 1933)

"Phoebe", a bronze signed by the artist, was presented at the 1889 Salon where it received an exceptionally enthusiastic reception, demonstrating the extraordinary skill of its creator.

This bronze sculpture, in impeccable condition, is enhanced by a refined double patina, which accentuates the fine detailing and gives the piece remarkable depth. It is elegantly mounted on a red marble base adorned with finely crafted brass feet, adding a touch of nobility to the ensemble.

The title of the work, finely engraved into the marble and gilded with gold leaf, highlights the care given to every element of this exceptional piece. While this model was reproduced in several editions, the quality of the finish and craftsmanship makes this sculpture a rarer work and a valuable testament to the artistic expertise of the late 19th century.

The sculpture is signed "Salon 1889" and "EMarioton SCr." for "Eugène Marioton Sculpteur".

Phoebe or Phébé: "the shining one," was the Titaness "with the golden crown," as Hesiod described her; she was the wife of Coeus and retained her place in the heavens after the revolt of the Titans. Phoebe was the Titaness of Light, later associated with Selene, the goddess of the moon. She was also the Titaness of prophecy, particularly the Oracle of Delphi. She was the third goddess to oversee the oracle, following Gaia and Themis. In Aeschylus' introduction to *The Eumenides*, the Pythia herself declares that Phoebe had control of this oracle, which she gave to Apollo as a birthday gift.

The French sculptor Eugène Marioton (Paris 1857 – 1933 Paris):

Eugène Marioton, born on April 7, 1857, in Paris, was a French sculptor who primarily worked with bronze. His works adhered to neoclassical traditions and often represented small cast bronze sculptures of notable French historical figures as well as personalities from ancient Greece and Rome.

He regularly participated in the Société des Artistes Français and served on the sculpture section jury of the Salon in 1905. Before his death in 1933, Marioton received several accolades for his work, including a prize from the Société des Beaux-Arts and a young artists' grant from the General Council of the Seine in 1884.