FLYING MERCURY

We undertook careful surface cleaning on this bronze to remove several layers of darkened natural varnish applied over the original pale gold tinted varnish during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

After surface cleaning, small areas of light corrosion were spot treated and the original surface lacquer retouched using tinted shellac varnish, matching the surrounding surface.

Repairs were also made to the fixing rod securing the figure to the stone ball and plinth.

Giambologna, born as Jean Boulogne, also known as Giovanni Da Bologna and Giovanni Bologna (1529 - 1608) is considered to be the foremost sculptor of marble and bronze statuary in a late Renaissance or Mannerist style.

Photograph courtesy Daniel Katz Ltd