Goddess of Fortune. Antonio Susini (Florence, 1558-1624). Attributed. From a lost model by Giambologna. Florence, 17th century. Mercury-gilt bronze.

The sculpture 54 cm Ancient marble base

This splendid sculpture depicts the Goddess of Fortune. Balancing on one foot, she clutches a veil shaped by the wind, a symbol of her characteristic: unpredictability.

According to leading scholars, the iconography of this subject derives from a lost sculpture by Giambologna, created to complement the famous Flying Mercury.

The few surviving versions are in major museums or private collections, often without the veil or with slight variations.

The one most similar to ours, attributed by Charles Avery to Susini, belongs to the catalog of Michael Hall's collection and is prominently displayed on the catalog's cover. This one is in a black patinated version, while ours retains its splendid original mercury gilding. The only missing part is the hem of the veil held in the goddess's right hand.

Note the beautiful marble base with a tapered column from the eighteenth century.

Extreme synthesis of great executive quality, school and decoration.

Bibliography:
Charles Avery-Anthony Radcliffe, Giambologna Sculptor of the Medici, Westerham Press, England, 1978, pp. 69-71, in particular sheet n.16.
Charles Avery-Michael Hall, Giambologna, exhibition catalogue, Somogy Editions d'art, Paris, 1999, pp. 56-61.