Adam Sleeping

1882. Terracotta.
Not on display

This work, signed on April 14, 1882, is clearly related to classical sculpture and its interpretation in the Faun that Sergel made in Rome (Nationalmuseum, Stockholm). This is especially visible in the position of the horizontal position of the torso and legs, as well as the left arm. The Museo del Prado has two other very interesting small-format terra-cotta works by Juan Samsó (Barcelona, 1834 – Madrid, 1908:) The Blessed Raimundo Lulio (E826) and Pietà (E829). This outstanding artist specialized in religious sculpture obtained various medals and became an academician at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, in 1888. He eventually became a senior professor there, and his small-format works stand out for their delicate manner.

Azcue Brea, Leticia, Escultors del segle XIX en el Museo Nacional del Prado : una primera aproximación. Butlletí del Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, 2009, p.111-139

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Inventory number: E000823
Author: Juan Samsó
Title: Adam Sleeping
Date: 1882
Technique: Terracotta
Medium: Terracotta
Dimension: Height: 20 cm; Weight: 15.4 Kg; Width: 36 cm; Depth: 12.5 cm
Provenance: Donated by Rodrigo Álvarez Blanco, 1915, for the Museo de Arte Moderno.
Entry date: 1971

Bibliography +

Alcolea, Santiago, Escultura Catalana del Segle XIX. Del Neoclassicisme al Real..., Fundacio Caixa de Catalunya, Barcelona, 1989, pp. nº 147.

Azcue Brea, Leticia, Escultors del segle XIX en el Museo Nacional del Prado : una primera aproximación, Butlletí del Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, 2009, pp. 111-139.

Mena Marqués, M.; Albarrán, V., La belleza encerrada: de Fra Angelico a Fortuny, folleto, Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, 2013, pp. 61 n.280.

Azcue Brea, Leticia, 'Juan Samsó' sub vocem, en: Diccionario biográfico español, Madrid, 2013, pp. 465-466.