John Perceval (b 1923) is an Australian painter who was involved with another prominent Australian artist, Arthur Boyd (1920-1999) in the establishment of the Arthur Merric Boyd pottery at Murrumbeena, Victoria in 1944. Although a wide range of highly important ceramic work evolved out of this pottery during the years that it operated (1944 to 1958), it was originally established mainly to produce domestic wares for a market experiencing wartime shortages. The pottery was also viewed as a means for both artists to finance their painting. Some of Perceval's most sophisticated and elaborate work evolved out of his early experiments with ceramic forms and glazes at the pottery, including a series of sculptural pieces he produced on the theme of angels which he began in 1957.

'Romulus and Remus with wolf mother' is a late and highly accomplished work from Perceval's 'Angel' series. It was produced in 1961 and draws on Perceval's interest in the Italian artists of the 1500s and the angel-devil figures in his own paintings. It features his experimental ancient copper-red Chinese 'sang-de-boeuf' type glaze. The theme 'Romulus and Remus with wolf mother' refers to the mythological story of Romulus and Remus, sons of Mars and legendary founders of Rome. Importantly, nine of Perceval's 'Angel' series of ceramic sculptures were shown in the controversial Antipodean exhibition of Australian art held in Melbourne in 1959.

Made by John Perceval at Murrumbeena Pottery, Victoria

Perceval began his series of ceramic sculptures around the angel theme in 1957. This is a culminative example from this series dating from 1961.

Ceramic sculpture, 'Romulus and Remus with wolf mother', [earthenware] with 'sang-de-boeuf' type glaze, made by John Perceval, Australia, Victoria, 1961

A figural group depicting the mythical infants Romulus and Remus with their wolf foster-mother. Broadly modelled in pale grey [earthenware] and glazed in an uneven deep red 'sang-de-boeuf' type glaze. Hand modelled details over wheel-thrown components. The dominant element in the composition is the large and roughly textured wolf mother depicted in a tenacious pose standing four-square and rigid on powerful legs. Her head points forward and the body slopes back to lean hindquarters and a slender curling tail. The ears are erect. The eyes are represented as holes pierced in the hollow body cavity as is the open mouth with pointed fangs and tongue. Along her belly there are two rows of teats and below these between her legs are the two infants Romulus and Remus. They are depicted as small playful imps, naked, half-seated, half lying with a tangle of chubby arms and legs. The group is glazed with an irregular deep red glaze giving an uneven mottled effect which contrasts with burnt black patches. Makers marks at various points on object.

A tray and crate have been custom made for these objects.

Designer: Perceval, John; Murrumbeena, Victoria

Maker: Perceval, John; Murrumbeena, Victoria; 1961

Signed "Perceval / 61" in black paint at five points (under both infants, under the neck and under two paws of the wolf)

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310 mm

520 mm

250 mm