19th Century Patinated Bronze Figural Lamps, a Pair

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An impressive pair of 19th Century patinated bronze figural lamps originally from a jewelry store in New York city. One … Read more An impressive pair of 19th Century patinated bronze figural lamps originally from a jewelry store in New York city. One sculpture is from the workshops of Saint Petersburg after the original design by notable Russian artist, painter, architect and designer Andrei Voronikhin (1759-1814), and shows three figures Graces: Science, Arts and Fertility. The other sculpture shows Hercules and Omphale, the queen of Lydia. In Greek mythology Hercules became enslaved to the Queen of Lydia as punishment directed by the oracle at Delphi to atone for the murder of his friend Iphitos. Once captive, Omphale forced the once-mighty warrior to spin wool, a task traditionally done by women in domestic servitude, and to wear women’s clothes. The inversion of traditionally male and female roles, dominance and submission, are the central focus of this sculpture. Hercules's subservience is emphasized. He is shown seated on the left, slumped, holding a distaff in his left hand and a spindle in his right. Omphale is pictured standing in front of Hercules, semi-clothed, jeering at him. She is leaning on his club and wearing the lion's pelt Hercules wore to commemorate his victory over the Nemean Lion.

Voronikhin was born into a family of serfs working on the estates of Count Stroganoff. He trained in painting in the workshop of Gabriel Yushkov, where he drew the attention of the Count who sent him to train in Moscow. Voronikhin was liberated in 1785 and for the next several years studied in France and Switzerland. Count Stroganoff was one of Voronikhin's most important patrons; he commissioned him to finish the interiors of the Stroganoff Palace on the Nevsky Prospect, as well as other residences. He also built the Kazan Cathedral and worked with Brenna at Pavlosk. See less