Style Louis XIV / Ref.10041

"Hippomenes and Atalanta", pair of cast iron garden statues by the Val d'Osne foundry coming from the Chateau des Penitents in Vernon

Dimensions:
Width: 42'' ⅛ 107cm
Height: 50'' 127cm

Origin:
19th century. Coming from the Chateau des Penitents in Vernon

Status:
In good condition.

This pair of garden Louis XIV style statues in cast iron features Hippomene and Atalanta, the legend of The Golden Apple. These statues come from the Château des Pénitents which can be found in Vernon in the Parisian region (see photos showing the statue in the park of the château next to the rose staircase). The statues bear the signature of the Val d'Osne smelter.

This pair of antique cast iron garden statues were made during the 19th century. The original statues were made out of marble by Lepautre and Coustou Père on request by the king Louis XIV to decorate the château de Marly. Today, the original marble statues are kept in the Louvre museum in Paris. The two statues are placed on a stone base. Atalanta was a beautiful Greek young woman who was known for being able to run quicker than any other human. Having a number of potential suitors, Atalanta made a vow of virginity and declared that she would only marry someone capable of winning against her in a race. Those that lost against her in the race were sentenced to death. A number of potential suitors died, until she met Hippomène, who with the help of Aphrodite, dropped three golden apples, which came from the garden of Hespérides, given by the goddess during the race; curious, the young girl stopped running to pick them up, thus giving Hippomène a head start.

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