Spinario

Spinario
Bronze figure of Spinario with a shepherd's crook
of a shepherd's crook.
France or Italy, 18th century.
Height: 9.5 cm - Width: 6 cm - Depth: 5.4 cm
(Wear, minor knocks, mounted on a marble pedestal.
brocatelle marble base)

PROVENANCE
- Nicolas de Hurtado Collection (1854 - 1920)
- Probably stolen on December 21, 1937 and
returned to the family on the 23rd to the widow
of the previous owner née Amparo, baronne Beyens
(1859-1946)
- Still in the family to this day.

Based on the well-known antique model in the
du Capitole (inv. MC1186). This representation
has been the subject of several more or less
fanciful as to its significance. In the
In the 16th century, the Spinario was essentially
the biblical character of Absalom,
son of David, renowned for his great beauty.
beauty. In our version, he is interpreted
as the young shepherd Gnaeus Martius, the legendary boy
who is said to have saved Rome by bringing
Senate with an urgent message. He did not stop to
to extract the thorn that was injuring his foot only
he had accomplished his mission.