Large carved marble sculpture of a fisherboy by Bazzanti

This superbly carved marble sculpture depicts a young fisherboy, a genre-type work typical of the celebrated Italian sculptor Pietro Bazzanti.

The boy stands on a rocky, rustic outcrop—draped with a fishing net, to signal his profession. He stands in classical contrapposto, his left knee bent, left hip lowered, and shoulders askance; his left arm rests on the outcrop, while his right is braced against his waist. The boy, who stands proudly—his face evincing a dignified calm reminiscent of Michelangelo’s David—is clad in a loosely fitting shirt and breeches. His tussled hair is topped by a tasselled cap, and a water bottle hangs from his right hand. The quality of the carving is superb: Bazzanti skilfully renders a variety of textures, from coarse rock and smooth skin to rumpled fabric and unkempt hair.

The base is signed and situated “P. Bazzanti / Florence”.