Italian, Rome, early 19th century. Bust of Ganymede

white marble. overall: 47.5cm., 18¾in. Estimate 5,000—7,000 GBP. Lot Sold:  9,375 GBP

NOTE: The mythical beauty of Paris and Ganymede, both recognisable by the Phrygian cap that also adorns the present bust, had great appeal to neoclassical sculptors such as Antonio Canova and Adamo Tadolini. The strict classical splendour of the face and treatment of the curls in the present bust related closely to the work of Bertel Thorvaldsen. It is particularly comparable to Thorvaldsen's 1816 full-length marble of Ganymede pouring a cup in Copenhagen.

RELATED LITERATURE: Bertel Thorvaldsen 1770-1844. Scultore Danese a Roma, ex. cat. Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna, Rome 1989, pp.167-168, no. 34

Sotheby's. Old Master Sculpture and Works of Art. 02 Dec 08. London. photo courtesy sotheby's. www.sothebys.com