Lot 15: Riccardo Grifoni Italian, born 1845 , Oreste (orestes)

signed and dated: R. Grifoni 1872 white marble, on sculpted white marble plinth and veined red marble base

measurements note figure: 101cm., 39¾in. plinth: 73cm., 28¾in.

Orestes was the son of Agamemnon of Mycenae and his unfaithful wife Clytemnestra. Upon Agamemnon's return from the Trojan war he was murdered by his wife and her lover, Aegisthus, who then set themselves up as rulers of Mycenae. Orestes was sent into exile, but swore to revenge his father's death. Together with his sister Electra, Orestes plotted to kill his mother and Aegisthus. After the murder Orestes was pursued by the Erinyes or Furies who continued to torment him until he confessed his crime at the Aeropagus in Athens.

The contorted faces on the base represent the Erinyes, whilst the young Orestes, with sword drawn, appears to be in the grip of a constant re-enactment of his crime.

Riccardo Grifoni was Professor of Drawing at the Reali Scuole Techniche, Rome. He studied at the Accademia di Belle Arte, Florence under Giovanni Duprè. He exhibited a model of Oreste in Milan in 1872, which may well be identified with the present marble.

RELATED LITERATURE
Panzetta, p. 151; Vicario, p. 564