'MARS', CIRCA 1935

In addition to his well known work 'Paris and New York Joining Hands Above Figures of Poetry, Beauty and Elegance' which adorns the façade of La Maison française at Rockefeller Center, the celebrated French sculptor Alfred-August Janniot did many other public commissions, including the 'Le Fontaine du Soleil' created for Place Massena in Nice. The fountain depicts Apollo surrounded by the human manifestations of the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars and Saturn. The present sculpture, based on Janniot's design for the fountain and reduced significantly in scale, depicts Mars and his steed watching rapt as Apollo makes his way through the sky. The artist made several versions of Mars which were very well received; the present example was in the collection of designer and lacquer artist, Jean Dunand.

Caption: Janniot in his studio with the plaster model for Mars in the Fontaine du Soleil.