Gallery Title
Gallery Title
Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons
Accession Number NWHCM : 1978.1.31
Description
Maquette for bronze cast of Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons, c. 1925-30, by Marcel Andre Bouraine (1886-1948); semi-clad, short-haired athletic female figure, modelled in terracotta, viewed from one side, seated on ground, leaning backwards with left knee drawn up, other leg outstretched, holding a bow in right arm which is stretched out in front of her, the other arm drawn back as if holding and about to loose an arrow. Arrow not visible, but bow, made of wood, is portrayed in semi-circular arc shape as if already drawn back.
Read MorePenthesilea, Queen of the Amazons
This terracotta sculpture by French sculptor Marcel Bouraine is what is known as a maquette: the original model from which a bronze is cast. It was another donation from Anne Hull Grundy.
The sculpture, from which several bronze casts still exist, is an excellent example of the Art Deco style. It was clearly popular in its day. It depicts Penthesilea, the legendary Queen of the Amazons, who is portrayed in the typically streamlined, androgynous 1920s style. The Amazons were the all-female warrior tribe in ancient Greece who traditionally shunned men. They were famous archers and horsewomen and legendarily were meant to be daughters of Ares, the Greek god of war.
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