Bronze Statue of Gladiator, 1800s

Description

Bronze Statue of Gladiator by a Master of the 1800s, Wounded Gladiator in bronze, Italian sculpture from the second half … more Bronze Statue of Gladiator by a Master of the 1800s, Wounded Gladiator in bronze, Italian sculpture from the second half of the 19th century in good condition. The figure is inspired by the Hellenistic sculpture depicting the "Dying Rooster", the famous Dying Gaul in marble from the Capitoline Museums in Rome. The work is signed by an unidentified author as the signature on the edge of the base is not decipherable, see photographic detail. It is the representation of a now defeated warrior, a gladiator with bloody stab wounds in one leg and chest who, kneeling on the ground, raises the sword with the broken blade with one hand, while with the other he holds the shield .
The casting was done in earth and has a dark green patina; it dates back to the second half of the 19th century and is in perfect condition. Under the base it bears the label of a Venetian shop. This Italian sculpture finds its raison d'être in what were the proposals for travel souvenirs and collecting of the Grand Tour. less