Barthelemy Prieur

(Berzieux, 1538 - Paris, 1611)

School of

The artwork had long been attributed to Francesco da Sant'Agata, but recent scholarship has placed it among the works of the great French sculptor Barthelemy Prieur, active at the court of Henry IV.

Prieur depicts Narcissus in an upright position with his arms raised to surround his head, adopting an alternative iconographic model to the traditional representation of the young man gazing at the water. It is clearly inspired by Michelangelo's Prisoners, which he had the opportunity to admire firsthand.

It is a beautiful casting, with a highly detailed and glossy surface, adorned with a splendid translucent patina in reddish tones. Likely dating back to the 17th century, it belongs to the school of Barthelemy Prieur.