a patinated bronze figure, probably French first half 19th century, the Soldani model directly derived from Giambologna’s ‘Mars’ with the probable addition of the severed head of St John the Baptist, holding a falchion in his other hand, set by the feet on a square ebonised wood plinth 9.5cm high, bronze 35.5cm high

See the bronze attributed to Soldani in the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, No.8122, based on ‘Mars’ (sometimes titled ‘Gladiator’), one of Giambologna’s most popular models. The primary point of reference for all the later figures is the ‘Dresden Mars’, presented by the artist to the Elector of Saxony, Christian I, now held by the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (Inventory No.1765Bl.095Nr.176). Its arrival was recorded in the city’s Kunstkammer archives in 1587: “Brass cast portrait of Mars, sent by Giovanni Bologna to His Grace the Elector.” The strangely splayed fingers of the Giambologna figure’s left hand do suggest a vacancy; Soldani’s answer apparently to fill the space with the dripping head.