Barthelemy Prieur

(Berzieux, 1538 - Paris, 1611)

School of

This charming bronze depicts a small dog scratching its ear, a subject after an engraving by the so-called "Master of the House Book" (Germany, 16th century).

A subject known since antiquity and considered one of the earliest German Renaissance bronzes, it was initially attributed to Peter Vischer (Nuremberg, 1455-1529) or his school. It was later attributed to Georg Schweigger, follower of Durer (17th century). Nowadays scholars attribute this this rare bronze to the workshop of Barthelemy Prieur, court sculptor for Henry IV.

A few replicas with variations and in various metals are known. The best known are held in the Anton Ulrich-Museum, Braunsweig, and in the Grünes Gewölbe, Dresden.

A similar bronze from Antony Embden collection passed at a Sotheby's auction.

Our bronze, alternatively, is with a dog resting on a grass, tied with a chain, now lost, to a tree trunk.

Some cold casting definition, charming red patina over traces of black patina.