This is a copy of one of the two figures of the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux holding back rearing horses, also known as the Horse Tamers, a Roman replica of a probably 4th century B.C. Greek original found in the Baths of Constantine and placed in the Piazza del Quirinale by Pope Sixtus V. Other studies of the Dioscuri are S. 611 (repr Powell 1951, pl 38), S. 634-7 and lot p 49a. Fuseli reused the figures in a number of works, in particular his capriccio of the Dioscuri, or S. 1826, dated by Schiff to c. 1810-15. Works in which Fuseli used a single figure from the group include God placing the Mark on Cain after he has killed Abel, 1781 (S. 791) and Hercules slaying the Cretan Bull, 1798-1800 (S. 988)