Lot 108: Attributed to Francesco Righetti, Italian (1749-1819) A Roman early 19th century bronze model of Venus and Cupid

the recumbent figure of Venus, her head turned to look at the figure of Cupid at her feet, Cupid holding a bow in his right hand, a quiver of arrows at his side, raised on a naturalistically cast base, set on a white marble base, raised on four bronze paw feet, with marble base: 80cm wide, 37cm high (31" wide, 14.5" high).

Francesco Righetti was one of the most prolific sculptors in Rome in the late 18th early 19th centuries. He worked under Luigi Valadier, one of the leading silversmiths in Rome of his day, who also produced high quality copies of bronzes after the Antique. Righetti soon took over from Valadier receiving a large scale commission for twelve full sized lead casts of famous statues after the Antique for Henry Hope at his country house in Wegelegen near Haarlem. In 1794 Righetti published a price list of works available for purchase from his workshop, this catalogue illustrates the amazing scope of his business, offering full sized copies of works from the Antique, groups, busts, vases and even replicas of fountains. After a visit to his studio by Pope Pius VII Righetti became head of the Vatican foundry, his son Luigi becoming his assistant. Righetti's bronzes are reknowned for their high quality of casting and finish.