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Prometheus, 1845

  • gypsum
  • 92 cm
  • Inv. 1885-D

Public Domain

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In the 19th century sculpture collection of the MSK Ghent, Prometheus by the Brussels artist Paul Bouré (1823-1848) stands out for various reasons. Among the few known works by this sculptor, who died early, this monumental representation of the unfortunate, chained figure is undoubtedly the main work. It was exhibited at the Brussels Salon in 1845 under the melodious title 'Prometheus on the Caucasus exposed to be torn apart by vultures', a subject that fitted in perfectly with the then prevailing preference for expressive themes from classical mythology. Bouré made the sculpture after a long stay in Florence, where he had discovered the masters of Renaissance sculpture, an influence which is reflected in the great expressiveness, the sought-after pose and the striking musculature of the reclining figure.

Artist

Paul-Joseph Bouré RKD
Brussels 1823 - Brussels 1848
sculptorsAAT

Title Prometheus
Date 1845
Period 19th century
Collection sculpture AAT
Object type gypsum AAT
Inventory number 1885-D
Acquisition credit gift
Belgian State
Brussels
1885
Current whereabouts Work on display
Permalink https://mskgent.be/collection/work/data/1885-D
IIIF Manifest https://imagehub.mskgent.be/iiif/3/7/manifest.json
Art & Architecture Thesaurus 300417629 mythologies (religious concept) AAT
Keywords Iconclass 31A the (nude) human figure; 'Corpo humano' (Ripa) Iconclass
31A236 lying figure Iconclass
31A534 beard Iconclass
92 gods ~ classical mythology Iconclass
91E4 (story of) Prometheus Iconclass
91E46 suffering, misfortune of Prometheus Iconclass
91E461 punishment of Prometheus; he is chained to a rock, usually by Vulcan and/or Mercury Iconclass
91E48(CHAIN) attributes of Prometheus (CHAIN) Iconclass
Catalogue du Musée des Beaux-Arts de Gand, publié par les soins de la Commision directrice / Georges Charles Nicolas Marie Hulin de Loo, Albert Dutry, Joseph Casier, Louis Maeterlinck. - Gand : Imprimerie C. Annoot-Braeckman, 1909 ; Gand : Ad. Hoste, 1909 (p. 145)
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