Dannecker (1758-1841), a German by birth, worked in Paris and also in Rome, where he studied under Canova. He was keen to express a revival in classicism, tempered with naturalism. Along with his Sappho and Psyche, Ariadne and the Panther is one of his best known works.
His original terracotta model, executed in 1803 is currently housed in the Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart. The finished work in marble became one of the most popular sculptures of the 19th century, bringing Dannecker considerable fame.