Hannibal's First Victory

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Bourdelle's early work, "Hannibal's Frist Victory," electrified audiences at the prestigious Salon des Artistes Francais in 1885, claiming an honourable mention and cementing the young sculptor's status as a rising star. At just twenty-four years old, Bourdelle was blazing a trail that would lead to a glittering career as a master sculptor. Bourdelle found inspiration in Gustave Flaubert's epic novel "Salammbo," which ignited a spark within him to transform the bloody tale of Hannibal's childhood into a breathtaking sculpture. The story, which revolves around the young warrior's daring kill of an eagle with his bare hands, allowed Bourdelle to showcase his expertise in anatomy and composition. A treasure trove of sketches preserved at the Bourdelle museum and the Ingres Museum in Montauban bears testament to Bourdelle's meticulous attention to detail as he painstakingly calculated the precise latitude of the eagle and the child.