Cupid riding a dolphin. Francesco Fanelli (Florence, 1577-Paris?, 1663) School of. Probably 17th century. Bronze, natural transparent brown patina over artificial black patina.

Overall 14.5 x 14.5 x 10 cm The bronze 11 x 10.5 x 8.5 cm

A charming bronze statuette depicting Cupid riding a dolphin, brandishing a small club in his right hand. With his left hand, he holds the mammal's jaws wide open, revealing its teeth, more reminiscent of a ferocious aquatic monster than the docile creatures we imagine.

The transparent brown patina is splendid with traces of an artificial black patina.

An identical model preserved in the Civic Museums of Padua is attributed to the style of Niccolò Roccatagliata and therefore this alternative should be taken into consideration, even if similar bronzes are increasingly attributed to the Fanelli workshop.

A pair of bronzes identical to our Cupid passed through the Cambi auction in 2019 with the same attribution.

Bibliography:
Davide Banzato and Francesca Pellegrini, Civic Museums of Padua, Bronzes and Plaques, Editoriale Programma, Padua, 1989, pp.110-111.