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Lot Essay
The 1999 sale catalogue records that this marble was then sold together with copies of the original bill of purchase letter from the sculptor to his patron. Although these documents sadly no longer accompany the lot, they recorded that it was commissioned by Mr. P. D. Phillips of Melbourne, directly from the sculptor in Florence: illustrating the truly international reach of the Italian sculpture trade in the late 19th century. Mr. P. D. Phillips is recorded to have chosen the scene which illustrates the following passage from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: 'Yon light is not daylight, I know it, I. It is some meteor that the sun exhaled To be to thee this night to thee a torch-bearer, And light thee on thy way to Mantua. Then stay awhile, thou shalt not go so soon'. The size of the group, type of pedestal and quality of marble were all mentioned in the correspondence. The price was £200 and delivery was given as nine months from the date of final confirmation.
Born in Florence, Cesare Fantacchiotti (d. 1922) was the son and pupil of the celebrated sculptor, Odoardo Fantacchiotti (d. 1877). Cesare was a prolific and highly successful sculptor, producing a wide range of subjects including portraiture, classical figures, allegorical groups and historic personalities. Fantacchiotti's work was exhibited in Florence, Venice, Turin, Berlin and Munich, as well as at the Royal Academy in London.
Born in Florence, Cesare Fantacchiotti (d. 1922) was the son and pupil of the celebrated sculptor, Odoardo Fantacchiotti (d. 1877). Cesare was a prolific and highly successful sculptor, producing a wide range of subjects including portraiture, classical figures, allegorical groups and historic personalities. Fantacchiotti's work was exhibited in Florence, Venice, Turin, Berlin and Munich, as well as at the Royal Academy in London.