After Gian Lorenzo Bernini

From GIAN LORENZO BERNINI (Naples, 1598 - Rome, 1680). Rome, early 17th century.
"Saint Bibiana".
Blued bronze.
Work previously auctioned at Sotheby's.
In 1993 another identical model was auctioned at Christie's New York. This work was catalogued as being by the artist himself.
Measurements: 48 x 20 x 14 cm.
Bronze work made by Bernini's bronze workshop in Rome at the beginning of the 17th century, under the supervision of the Baroque master. It is a serial piece of which very few copies were made, although the exact number is unknown. It is based on the sculpture of Saint Bibiana that Gian Lorenzo Bernini made in marble between 1624 and 1626, now in the church of Santa Bibiana in Rome.
The saint, draped in a cloak moulding her breast and a Roman-style mantle, stands on a circular base, her right arm raised holding a symbolic flame and the palm of martyrdom in her left.
Bernini designed and modelled the statue, which, however, was executed under the direction of Giovanni Antonio Mari in 1657. The structure of the work faithfully reflects the inspiration of Bernini's Saint Bibiana in the church of the same name in Rome.
The first bronze reductions of Gian Lorenzo Bernini's models are rarely seen on the art market.
are rarely seen on the art market. The Saint Bibiana is one of the few religious sculptures by Bernini that were cast in bronze.
that were cast in bronze. The only others are the "Beata Ludovica Albertoni" and the "David".
Moreover, the bronze casts of the Saint Bibiana are particularly rare, in fact, only two others are known: one that was
only two others are known: one at Drouot, Paris, 9 December 1994, lot 52 (48.5 cm) and another offered at Christie's New York, 9 December 1994, lot 52 (48.5 cm) and another offered at Christie's New York.
another offered at Christie's New York, 2 June 1993, lot 221 (47 cm).
According to Philippe Malgouyres, these bronzes are high quality terracottas, which were probably modelled from marble.
This is clearly the case with the Saint Bibiana, which is largely copied in clay", and he believes that the same is true of the Beata Ludovica.
Of the Beata Ludovica Albertoni there are larger-scale bronze versions of several of Bernini's mythological models, such as "Pluto and Proserpina" and "Apollo", documented as having been acquired by George Parker,
future Earl of Macclesfield (c. 1695-1764), on his Grand Tour of Italy between 1719 and 1722.