‘La Seine’, antique figural white marble relief sculpture by Puech

Titled ‘La Seine’, this marble sculpture depicts a nymph transforming into a river. The piece was expertly crafted by Denys Pierre Puech (1854–1942), a renowned French sculptor. Puech studied at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and regularly exhibited at the Parisian Salons. His many accolades include the Prix de Rome in 1884, underscoring his exceptional talent, which is evident in the sculpture in Mayfair Gallery’s collection.

This marble sculpture depicts the mythological creation of the river Seine, as recounted by French author Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre (1737–1814) in L’Arcadie. According to the tale, the nymph Seine, daughter of Bacchus, was entrusted with control over the waterways of Northern France in recognition of her role in aiding Ceres in the search for Persephone. When Neptune became enamoured with her and pursued her relentlessly, Seine asked Bacchus for salvation. He answered her plea by transforming her into a flowing river, thus sparing her from a relationship with the god of the sea.  

The nymph is depicted reclining at the side, with reeds wrapped around her. Portrayed as if in a deep sleep, her hair blends seamlessly into the flowing water surrounding her, beautifully captured in the carved waves. A bundle of bulrushes rests next to her head, adding to the nature-inspired composition. In her hand, she holds a flowing cloth that extends toward her legs, which merges effortlessly with the surrounding water.

Behind the figure, the sculptor has carved Paris' skyline in low relief, featuring iconic French landmarks such as Notre Dame and the Pont Neuf. The sculpture is crowned with shells, further emphasizing the marine theme of the piece.

To the lower left, the sculpture is signed and dated ‘D Puech / 1902’.

Puech first created ‘La Seine’ in 1884, during his time as a student at the French Academy in Rome. Two years later, it was exhibited at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

The delicate yet powerful carving of the marble, paired with the enchanting scene, makes this antique a stunning addition to any collection or home.