2771 - Dionysus, known as “Narcissus” or “Narcissus of Pompeii.” Bronze, with a dark patina. Signed “V. Bolti” on the plinth. A finely executed and richly detailed cast from the late 19th century/around 1900. A nude, pensive ephebe standing on a round, fluted plinth with ornamental relief along the edge, wearing a goatskin draped over his shoulder and raising his index finger. Based on the ancient statuette found in Pompeii in 1862, which is housed in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. That statuette was created between the 1st century B.C. and the 1st century A.D. as a Roman copy of an ancient Greek original from the 4th century B.C. belonging to the school of Praxiteles. Around 1900, the statuette enjoyed great popularity among artists, writers, and musicians—such as Oscar Wilde, Wilhelm von Gloeden, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky; it was copied many times and became a source of inspiration. Even Elton John could not resist its appeal; his collection also included a cast version from the Belle Époque. Height: 61 cm.

Dionysus, known as “Narcissus” or “Narcissus of Pompeii.” Bronze, with a dark patina. Signed “V. Bolti” on the plinth. A finely executed and richly detailed cast from the late 19th century/around 1900. A nude, pensive ephebe standing on a round, fluted plinth with ornamental relief along the edge, wearing a goatskin draped over his shoulder and raising his index finger. Based on the ancient statuette found in Pompeii in 1862, which is housed in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. That statuette was created between the 1st century B.C. and the 1st century A.D. as a Roman copy of an ancient Greek original from the 4th century B.C. belonging to the school of Praxiteles. Around 1900, the statuette enjoyed great popularity among artists, writers, and musicians—such as Oscar Wilde, Wilhelm von Gloeden, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky; it was copied many times and became a source of inspiration. Even Elton John could not resist its appeal; his collection also included a cast version from the Belle Époque. Height: 61 cm. Dark-patinated bronze of Dionysus (known as “Narcissus”). Signed “V. Bolti.” Cast in the late 19th century or circa 1900 after the ancient Roman bronze original found in Pompeii in 1862.