Salammbô with Mathô. I Love You! I Love You!
by RIVIÈRE, Théodore, Bronze, height 42 cm
The subject is taken from Gustave Flaubert’s exotic historical novel, Salammb�, published in 1862. It represents the Carthaginian priestess Salammb� retrieving her city’s sacred veil, the Zaimph, from her enemy Math�, who is consumed with desire for her.
This is a cast of Rivi�re’s celebrated model, with waxy detailing. There is a bronze and ivory version in the Mus�e d’Orsay, Paris.