STUDIO OF ANTONIO FRILLI (ITALIAN, D. 1902), AFTER THE ANTIQUE

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
J. Marsden, Victoria & Albert: Art & Love, London, 2010, p. 460.

The present marble is after the Roman original dating from the 1st century A.D. Acquired by Richard Grenville, the 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos following excavations in the Baths of Agrippa, Rome, it was brought back to England where it was seen and admired by Queen Victoria during a visit Stowe House in 1845. Shortly thereafter Christie’s held a sale of the contents of Stowe on 21 August 1848 where the marble was offered (lot 697). The Queen requested an advisor bid on her behalf, ultimately acquiring it for 156 guineas. It was presented as a birthday gift five days later to the Prince Consort and placed in a specially designed niche at the Royal couple’s seaside retreat, Osborne House. After several moves throughout the 20th century, the marble may now been seen in the originally designated space at Osborne House (inv. RCIN 41038).