Cesare Fantacchiotti (Italian, 1844-1922)

Born in Florence, Cesare Fantacchiotti was the son and pupil of the celebrated sculptor, Odoardo Fantacchiotti (d. 1877). Though renowned for his depiction of Pandora, the prolific and highly successful sculptor produced a wide range of genres including portraiture, classical figures, allegorical groups and historic personalities. An example of Romeo and Juliet was commissioned for a Mr. P. D. Phillips of Melbourne upon his visit to the artist's studio in Florence in 1919 and was subsequently sold at Christie's, London, 14 July 2011, lot 168 (£39,650).