A lifesize white marble figure of Meleager

ITALIAN SCHOOL, 19TH CENTURY

Details
A lifesize white marble figure of Meleager
Italian School, 19th Century
The naked youth with long curly hair, drapery falling from his shoulders, resting his sandalled left foot on the head of the captured Calydonian Boar, a seated hound at his side, on a rectangular naturalistically-carved base, restoration to nose, losses to one corner of base, unsigned
24¼ in. (61.5 cm.) wide; 66¼ in. (168.2 cm.) high; 21 in. (53.2 cm.) deep
Provenance
Formerly in the collection of the Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, Virginnia, USA.

Lot Essay

In Greek mythology Meleager was the son of a king of Calydon, a city of Aetolia. His father had offended the goddess Diana, who sent a wild boar to ravage the countryside which Meleager with a band of companions set out to hunt. First to wound it was Atalanta, the virgin huntress whom Meleager loved. When the Calydonian boar was finally captured and slain Meleager presenter her with its head and pelt.

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