The original sculpture is located in the Louvre, Paris. Since its discovery in 1611 in Nettuno, Italy it has proven to be one of the most admired of Antique sculptures. Cast were made for the rulers of most of Europe and Russia, and artists as well as critics used it as a measure from which to judge the ideal beauty of sculpture. The graceful lines and fine musculature combined with the spatial breaking of the positioning of the body create a very sucessful if not arresting statue.

The F. Barbedienne Foundry (active 1838-1952) was one of the most important foundries of the mid to late 19th century. The firm published a catalogue of After the Antique sculptures but was also producing decorative objects as well as working with the most important sculptors of the period.