Viennese cold-painted bronze by Bergman depicting Rebecca at the well

Viennese cold-painted bronze by Bergman depicting Rebecca at the well
Austria, c. 1910
Height 30cm, width 30cm, depth 30cm
 
This figural bronze replicates the biblical story of Rebecca at the well (Genesis 24:11-22), where Rebecca’s selfless act of giving water to an old man marks her as a suitable bride for Abraham’s son, Isaac. As in the story, this sculpture depicts a veiled woman offering water to a thirsty male figure from an urn, which she has presumably just collected from the well at her feet.
 
As well as the subject being notably unusual for sculptures of this type, this piece also displays superb artistic detailing. The carving is particularly fine, especially of the flowing garments of the figures which drape naturalistically around their bodies, and of the base which successfully evokes the natural rocky texture. The colours too are exceptional, with the vibrant reds and greens of the figures’ Orientalist robes highlighting the artistic possibilities that cold-painting allows.
 
The piece is crafted by the renowned Austrian sculptor Franz Xaver Bergman (1861-1936), one of the foremost makers of cold-painted bronzes at the turn of the 20th century. The model is stamped on the base ‘Namgreb’, which is ‘Bergman’ spelled backwards.
 
Of an unusual design and skilfully executed, this heartwarming scene would make a fantastic addition to any collection of Orientalist art.
 
Literature: Similar models by Bergman are featured in Joseph Zobel, Antique Vienna Bronzes, pages 184 and 206.
 
Artist/Maker: Franz Xaver Bergman