Possibly Italian, 19th Century, in the Antique Manner

The present pair of bronzes depict two athletes: a boxer and the Standing Discobolus.

The boxer is based on a model originally conceived by the Italian artist, Antonio Calì (1788–1866), who worked alongside the celebrated sculptor, Antonio Canova (1757-1822). This work captures Canova's influence on his pupil Calì, as the figure's stern expression and stance bear a resemblance to Canova's sculptures of the Greek boxers Creugas and Damoxenos, examples of which are at the Louvre Abu Dhabi (inv. nos. LAD 2012.010.001 and LAD 2012.010.002). Another version of Calì's boxer is housed at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida.

The figure on the right, known as the Standing Discobolus, is a replica of an antique sculpture. The prime version was rediscovered at Hadrian's Villa in the mid 1700s. Upon its rediscovery, the Italian scholar Ennio Quirino Visconti identified it as a Roman copy of the Standing Discobolus, a bronze statue recorded by Pliny as attributed to the Greek artist Naukydes of Argos, dated 420-400 BCE.¹

Both of the present sculptures can be interpreted as homages to the artistry of the Classical period. Such works were popular amongst 18th and 19th century audiences, whose taste was influenced by the Neoclassical movement and its interest in antique art.

¹F. Haskell and N. Penny, Taste and the Antique, New Haven 1981, p. 200.