This is a copy after a much admired antique statue in the Musei Vaticani known as the Pighini Meleager (Haskell and Penny, loc. cit.). Its popularity in the late 18th century is further attested by a bronze reduction dated 1797 by Righetti senior (González Palacios, loc. cit.), with an identical restoration of the left hand, the part of the statue that legend had it Michelangelo had been unwilling - or unable - to complete.



The following three lots were acquired for Wentworth Woodhouse in the later 18th century, either by Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (1730-82) or by his nephew and heir, William, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam (1743-1833).