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The Triumph of Love over Time

Clockmaker: Jean-Baptiste Lepaute French
Modeler Figures modeled by Augustin Pajou French
Founder Figures cast by Etienne Martincourt French
ca. 1780–90
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 553
This clock illustrates the triumph of love over time. The young god of love points to the minutes with his arrow while holding a blazing torch to the celestial globe that contains two revolving rings between its hemispheres, one with the minutes (5–10) and the other with the hours (I-XII). Chronos, or Father Time, sits dejectedly at the right. The figures, modeled by Augustin Pajou (1730–1809), were taken from a more complex design for a clock made by the royal sculptor in 1775 for the prince de Condé and were probably cast by Étienne Martincourt (active 1762–1800). The subject of the relief on the pedestal is a sacrifice to Eros. At this time, the workshop of the Lepaute family consisted of Jean-Baptiste (1727–1802), named horologer du roi in 1775; Pierre, called Henry Lepaute (1749–1806); and Pierre-Bazile, called Sully-Lepaute (1750–1843). The gilt bronze is beautifully finished and the contrast between the burnished and matte areas is particularly striking.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Triumph of Love over Time
  • Maker: Clockmaker: Jean-Baptiste Lepaute (French, 1727–1802)
  • Modeler: Figures modeled by Augustin Pajou (French, Paris 1730–1809 Paris)
  • Founder: Figures cast by Etienne Martincourt (French, active 1762–1800)
  • Date: ca. 1780–90
  • Culture: French, Paris
  • Medium: Gilt bronze, marble, enamel
  • Dimensions: Overall (Wt. confirmed): 37 x 41 x 12 1/2 in., 379lb. (94 x 104.1 x 31.8 cm, 171.9133kg)
  • Classification: Horology
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.2126
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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Mantel clock with musical movement, Jean-Baptiste-André Furet French, Case: gilded and lacquered bronze and marble; Movement (in bust): brass and steel with enameled hour and minute chapter rings (in head); Miniature organ with pipes and bellows (in base): brass, steel, and leather, French, Paris
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ca. 1784
Wall clock (pendule en cartel), Jean Godde l'aîné French, Case: gilded bronze, oak, and tortoiseshell on brass marquetry on oak; Dial: white enamel and gilded brass with blued-steel hands; Movement: brass and steel, French, Paris
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