U.S. Centennial, Philadelphia, 1876.

The artist; William M. Evarts, acquired by the above, 1872; Windsor Public Library, Windsor, Vermont, acquired from the above, 1905; Christie's, New York, June 3, 1982, lot 83; Acquired by the present owner from the above.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens (American, 1848-1907) Psyche of Capua, circa 1873-74 Marble 36 inches (91.4 cm) high on a 44 inches (111.7 cm) high marble plinth Property from the Estate of Princess Maria Romanoff PROVENANCE: The artist; William M. Evarts, commissioned from the above, 1872; Windsor Public Library, Windsor, Vermont, acquired from the above, 1905; Christie's, New York, June 3, 1982, lot 83; Acquired by the present owner from the above. EXHIBITED: U.S. Centennial, Philadelphia, 1876. LITERATURE: J.H. Dryfhout, The Works of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Hanover, New Hampshire, 1982, p. 66, no. 40, another example illustrated; H. Saint-Gaudens, The Reminiscence of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, New York, 1976, pp. 128, 143. Psyche of Capua by Augustus Saint-Gaudens stands as a testament to the sculptor's esteemed period of productivity during his Roman sojourn from 1870 to 1875. This exquisite marble sculpture, also known as Psyche of Naples, was meticulously carved circa 1873-74 and represents a significant commission undertaken for an illustrious American figure during Saint-Gaudens' residency in Italy. Psyche of Capua boasts a remarkable and distinguished provenance, having been originally commissioned by William M. Evarts—a prominent New York lawyer, statesman, and eloquent orator who made his mark on American legal history through his involvement in pivotal cases. Evarts' roles were many, including U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. Attorney General, and U.S. Senator, and his legal acumen was showcased in momentous events such as the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson, the Geneva Arbitration, and the resolution of the hotly contested presidential election of 1876. The connection between Evarts and Saint-Gaudens was serendipitously forged in Geneva and furthered in Rome in 1872, culminating in this prestigious commission. Saint-Gaudens took time to complete the present work as he struggled with personal and creative obstacles while working in Rome. The artist's son Homer records a portion of a letter sent by the artist to William Evarts: "I have been unwell for the last two months from a blow I received in falling from a platform in the studio. Previous to that, my brother was dangerously ill for six weeks, and again before that I could not work for nearly two months on account of repairs in the studio. I give these as the succession of circumstances that have been the cause of my great delay in delivering your orders. The Psyche is very far advanced but I'm afraid it cannot be finished soon enough to send with your bust which I'm now desirous you should have immediately..." (H. Saint-Gaudens, The Reminiscence of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, New York, 1976, pp. 142-43) Once completed and delivered to Evarts, the work subsequently garnered significant attention at the U.S. Centennial in Philadelphia in 1876, marking its entry into the annals of public exhibition. In 1905, the piece was gifted to the Windsor Public Library in Windsor, Vermont, signifying its transition into the public domain. Its journey continued as it changed hands, ultimately being acquired by Princess Maria Romanoff at Christie's New York in 1982. This masterful piece adorned the New York residence of Princess Romanoff until her passing in 2023, echoing its long-standing legacy of appreciation among patrons of the arts. Born Princess Maria Immacolata Valguarnera di Niscemi on November 29, 1931, Princess Maria, or "Mimi" as she was known, was the daughter of Don Corrado Valguarnera, 9th Prince di Niscemi, and his wife, born Margaret Hirsch of Philadelphia. Princess Mimi was raised in Palermo in the Palazzo di Niscemi, and was educated privately until the outbreak of the Second World War, when she and her sister were sent for their safety to the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Overbrook, Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia. A cousin of both Giuseppe Tomasi, Prince di Lampedusa (author of the Italian masterpiece novel "The Leopard") and Fulco, Duke of Verdura (the master jeweler of the mid-20th century), Mimi was interested in jewelry making and studied in Philadelphia and Paris. As a young woman in New York, her successful business, "Mimi di N" attracted customers such as Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy and the Duchess of Windsor. In 1971, Princess di Niscemi married Prince Alexander Nikitich Romanoff, the son of HH Prince Nikita Alexandrovich of Russia and his wife, the former Countess Maria Illarionovna Woronzoff-Dashkoff. Married in the Russian Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel at Cannes, the couple became one of the most socially prominent couples in New York. Cultured and impeccable, Prince and Princess Alexander were well known to the great auction houses and dealers of the world as serious collectors. The property of Princess Romanoff will be sold across several auctions at Heritage in the coming year. The present work is accompanied by a letter from John Dryfhout dated 1982, indicating the sculpture's inclusion in his publication The Works of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

The bust with attractive consistent coloration; scattered areas of fills and professional restoration; minor losses, especially to edges of base as expected; overall wear indicative of age and display; the marble plinth with scattered areas of loss and professional restoration, especially to edges of base, lower edges of base slightly unstable; indications that base has been upturned due to losses along edges.