Lot Essay
At the age of 9, Ercole Rosa, at his parents realisation of his talent, entered the Ospizio di san Michele, an institution devoted to promoting art. Taking up sculpture at 21, he adopted a rebellious and modern style in his work. Rosa's two best-known works are his Monument to the Brothers Cairoli in Rome and the equestrian Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II in the Piazza del Duomo, Milan. Apart from these he executed portrait busts and genre works, such as Bacchante, Diana Cacciatrice and the present charming group of a female faun balancing a putto on her knee. Many of his works are now conserved in the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna in Rome.