Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824–1904)

Jean-Léon Gérôme bronze statue depicts Anakreon, the ancient Greek poet, accompanied by Amor and Bacchus. The composition represents the lyrical intertwining of classical poetry and ancient mythology: the allegorical figures of love and wine refer to recurring motifs in Anakreon’s oeuvre. The calm, balanced posture and the cohesive formal solutions emphasize the timeless, contemplative nature of poetry. The work was made in the workshop of F. Barbedienne, representing the outstanding technical level of the era.