Flora

Workshop Unknown workshop, probably Paris

Afterafter Antoine Coysevox (French, 1640 - 1720)

Collections

Outdoor Sculptures

ClassificationsSCULPTURE

Dateca. 1850-1900

Mediumcast terracotta on sandstone pedestals

Dimensions66 x 36 1/4 x 27 1/2 in. (167.6 x 92.1 x 69.9 cm.) base: 21 x 37 x 38 in. (53.3 x 94 x 96.5 cm.)

DescriptionThis terracotta statue portrays Flora, the goddess of the flowering of plants, who was associated with spring, the flowering plants, blossoming, and fertility in Roman mythology.

SignedSigned: Coyzevox Ft. 1709

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Label TextThis large-scale statue portrays Flora, the goddess of spring and new growth in Roman mythology. Flora, who is usually associated with flowering plants, blossoming, and fertility, is holding a garland of flowers. Like the example on the other side of the hall, which portrays a female tree spirit, this is a 19th-century copy of a marble sculpture made by French sculptor Antoine Coysevox in 1709 for the gardens of the castle of Marly, a royal residence of King Louis XIV. The Huntingtons probably wanted to associate their gardens with French taste, as it was in vogue in the early 20th century and for this reason, they acquired both these terracotta statues.

Status

On view

Object number10.156