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Figure Group of Pygmalion and Galatea
French
1770–73
Medium/Technique
Hard-paste biscuit porcelain
Dimensions
Overall: 115.1 x 68.8 x 55.4 cm (45 5/16 x 27 1/16 x 21 13/16 in.)
Other (figure group): 21.1 x 21.8 x 35.6 cm (8 5/16 x 8 9/16 x 14 in.)
Overall (pedestal): 9.7 cm (3 13/16 in.)
Other (figure group): 21.1 x 21.8 x 35.6 cm (8 5/16 x 8 9/16 x 14 in.)
Overall (pedestal): 9.7 cm (3 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Forsyth Wickes—The Forsyth Wickes Collection
Accession Number65.1813
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
DescriptionThe group is comprised of the standing nude figure of Galatea, the kneeling cloaked figure of Pygmalion who clasps his hands as he gazes up at her, and two cherubs to the side of and behind Galatea, who are supported by clouds. A sculptor's mallet lies at the base of the plinth that supports Galatea. The group rises from an oval base and rests on a separate stepped oval pedestal with a dark blue ground. On an applied rectangular plaque on the front of the plaque is written in gold: "Si Pigmalion la forma,/ Si le Ciel anima son etre,/ l'Amour fit plus, il l'Enflamma,/ Sans lui que serviroit de naitre."
Marks
On base of figure group, an incised B for Jean-Jacques Bachelier (active at Sèvres 1748/51-1793; director of sculpture 1751-1757, 1766-73); an incised i or slash to the right of the B. On interior of pedestal, interlaced Ls, gilder's mark of LG for Etienne-Henry Le Guay aîné, père (active at Sèvres 1742-43, 1748-49, 1751-96) below, both in gold.
Provenance1953, Armand Wittekind, Geneva; January 6, 1953, sold by Wittekind to Rosenberg and Stiebel, New York; January 6, 1953, sold by Rosenberg and Stiebel to Forsyth Wickes (b. 1879 - d. 1964), New York and Newport, RI; 1965, bequest of Forsyth Wickes to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 24, 1965)