An Italian Grand Tour sculpture "Rape of Polyxena" after Pio Fedi (* 07.06.1815 Viterbo, † 31.05.1892 Florence), late 19th centuryFree-standing, fully sculptured and highly detailed bronze cast with fine chiselling in places. Modelled on the famous colossal group of figures, "Rape of Polyxena", carved in marble from 1860 to 1865, in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. Slight signs of age. Minimal rubbing. Beautiful patina. Height 65 cm.The central figure representing Neoptolemus, also called Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles. He strides onto the altar, holding the Trojan princess Polyxena, the daughter of Priam and Hecuba, in his left arm. Intending to sacrifice the princess on the grave of Achilles, his father, Neoptolemus draws his sword in his raised right hand against Hecuba, kneeling in entreaty at his feet. In front of her, and between the feet of Pyrrhus, lies one of Polyxena's brothers, who has been killed in battle. Pio Fedi first learned the goldsmith's craft under a master on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. He then enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts to study drawing, among other subjects. Aferwards, he visited Vienna, attending the Academy there, and was commissioned to paint in the Belvedere. Granted a scholarship to study in Rome, he stayed there until 1844. Shortly after, he returned to Florence, where he turned to sculpture as a result of an injury. Here he received important commissions, for example, creating life-sized tableaux for the Uffizi on behalf of Leopold II. Without doubt, the Rape of Polyxena is one of his most famous works.Condition: I - II