Unrecorded Italian Artist (perhaps 17th century)

The Farnese Bull (The Punishment of Dirce)

Model and Cast: Italian, perhaps 17th century (after the antique)

Bronze

42.9 x 38 x 36 cm

This is one of many small reproductions after a celebrated life-size antique marble group, excavated in Rome in 1545, and placed in the Palazzo Farnese there. In poor condition, the marble was restored in about 1579 in line with Pliny’s account of a large marble group representing the story of Dirce; she was tied to a wild bull by the two sons of Antiope for her cruelty to their mother. This cast was probably made in Rome or northern Italy, perhaps before 1700.

Purchased 1948 (No. 48.3)

SEE THIS SCULPTURE IN THE RED GALLERY