拍品專文
The present bronze group is a model which is firmly attributed to Francesco Fanelli, 'the one-eyed Italian', who moved from his native Italy to work at the court of Charles I of England. It represents the moment in mythology when the centaur Nessus abducts Deianira, the wife of Hercules, after offering to carry her to safety across a river. Fanelli treated this subject twice, with the other model depicting Deianira in a more frantic struggle to release herself from the grip of her captor (for an example of this composition see lot 172).
Many of the characteristic Fanelli hallmarks are evident here, including the inclusion of an equestrian subject, the waxy treatment of the details, and the distinctive naturalistic plinth. For a general discussion of Fanelli's work in the Beit collection, see the pre-lot text to lot 172.
Many of the characteristic Fanelli hallmarks are evident here, including the inclusion of an equestrian subject, the waxy treatment of the details, and the distinctive naturalistic plinth. For a general discussion of Fanelli's work in the Beit collection, see the pre-lot text to lot 172.