Salammbô and Matho
by RIVIÈRE, Théodore, Bronze, gold, ivory, and turquoise, height 40 cm
The subject of this work was taken from Gustave Flaubert’s novel, Salammb�, published in 1862. The story takes place between 241–238 BC, during the war between Carthage and its mercenaries in revolt. The Libyan Math�, the chief of the barbarian soldiers, fell in love with Salammb�, the daughter of his Carthaginian enemy Hamilcar Barca. Rivi�re has chosen the moment when, mortally wounded by the people, Math� dies at the feet of his idol crying: “I love you! I love you!” The figure of Salammb�, the femme fatale, inspired many other Symbolist artists.
This group is modelled as Salammb� standing wearing a pointed head-dress, her flowing robe with jewelled clasps, Matth� kneeling with his right leg outstretched, embracing her passionately, on a mound base.