430 - Foot of Mercury, based on models from antiquity – Italian School – late 19th century

Foot of Mercury, based on models from antiquity – Italian School – late 19th century A sculptural fragment in white marble depicting the foot of Mercury, reinterpreted in the tradition of classical Greco-Roman sculpture. The representation of the god’s attributes—particularly his characteristic winged feet—became one of the most recognizable elements of his iconography. Mercury, the Roman equivalent of the Greek Hermes, was the messenger god and protector of travelers and merchants. The piece belongs to the Italian tradition of reinterpreting and reproducing models from Antiquity, a tradition closely linked to the enduring Italian taste for classical sculpture. Treated as an independent sculptural object, the fragment emphasizes the anatomy and detail of this attribute. Interest in this type of piece is also linked to the Grand Tour tradition—the cultural journey undertaken by young aristocrats and members of the European elite between the 17th and 19th centuries, whose itinerary included Italy as one of its main destinations. Rome, Florence, Naples, and Pompeii offered direct access to the great works of antiquity and the artistic legacy of the Renaissance. As souvenirs and testaments to their education, travelers acquired sculptures, fragments, casts, and reproductions of classical models, giving rise to a significant market for objects inspired by archaeological finds and cabinet sculptures. This tradition continued throughout the 19th century and into the 20th, particularly in Italian workshops specializing in reproducing or reinterpreting ancient models for international collectors. Dimensions: 29 × 47 × 20 cm.