Lot 257

Generally, the sculpture appears to be in very good condition throughout.

There is a small loss to the lower edge of a fold of drapery to the back. Of the drapery across the upper part of the figure's right arm, which is composed of two sections fixed to the arm, the rear section is a little loose, apparently not in danger of detaching but leaving a slight gap between the section of drapery and the arm. There is surface dirt to high points and in crevices, and discoloured tape gum residue to two sides of the plinth.

In two areas of the plinth (to the left side between the figure's left foot and the hare's feet, and to the rear between the hound's tail and the tree stump) its surface appears lightly scoured and chalky. Transmitting light through the marble in these area reveals filling of small chips to the upper edges of the plinth (not otherwise apparent) and it is assumed the scouring and chalkiness is associated with the smoothing and finishing of these small restorations.

(The underside of the sculpture has not been inspected in preparing this report.)



The opinions expressed in the condition reports are a guide only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek further information or request additional images during our pre-sale period where Leonard Joel staff are available for advice. Please note condition reports can be amended during the pre-sale period, so we strongly suggest any interested bidders check the published condition report available on the website before the auction commences. Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.

Private collection, Melbourne

Alexander Macdonald was born in Rome in 1847, the son of the Scottish sculptor Lawrence Macdonald (1799–1878) who had settled in that city in 1832 (subsequently occupying the studio in the former Palazzo Barberini stables previously occupied by the leading Neo-Classical sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen) and successfully attracted the patronage of well-born English and other Grand Tourists with his work in its idealised Classical manner. Trained by his father, Alexander took over his studio and continued in the same vein. He is recorded as having produced a number of fine Classical figure subjects, including one exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 1877.

A marble figure group by Macdonald of Venus and Cupid, shorter but comparable to the present lot, was sold at Christie's in 2009 (19th Century Furniture, Sculpture, Works of Art, and Ceramics, including Property from the Palazzo of a Milanese Noble Family, London, 19 March 2009, lot 168, £48,000 plus buyer's premium) and resold the following year at Sotheby's (19th & 20th Century European Sculpture, London, 23 November 2010, lot 11, £40,000 plus buyer's premium).