Abduction of a Sabine Woman

Art Historical Context

Behold the dynamic bronze *Abduction of a Sabine*, a masterful reduction of Giambologna's iconic model from around 1579, cast likely in the late 16th century by Susini. This Florentine masterpiece captures a tumultuous moment from Roman mythology: the Rape of the Sabine Women, early Romans seized Sabine women to secure Rome's future. Giambologna, a Flemish sculptor who thrived in Renaissance Florence under Medici patronage, and Susini, his skilled bronze caster, crafted this 37⅞-inch-high figure group to evoke raw energy and emotion. In the Mannerist style, the sculpture exemplifies Giambologna's revolutionary *figura serpentinata*—twisting, multi-figure compositions designed for viewing from all angles. The nude male and female forms intertwine in a spiraling vortex of struggle and motion, showcasing the lost-wax bronze technique's precision for intricate details, musculature, and dramatic tension. Smaller bronzes like this were prized in princely collections as virtuoso objects, blending artistry with technical bravura. A gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from Mr. and Mrs. William B. Jaffe in 1963, this work highlights Florence's late 16th-century sculptural legacy, bridging Renaissance humanism with Baroque intensity. Stand close to marvel at its lifelike patina and narrative power.