In 1601 a silver version of the present composition was one of four silver statuettes loaned from the Galleria of the Uffizi to Antonio Susini, presumably for him to make bronze copies. In the inventory made of Benedetto Gondi’s collection in Florence on 4 November 1609, there is mention of “Un pastorino”, and it is given to Giambologna. These early documentary references have led to the general acceptance of the Peasant Resting on his Staff as a model created by Giambologna. The model recalls Giambologna’s Flemish origin and training, upon which he may also have drawn when asked to create many of the decorations for the gardens and grounds of Francesco de’ Medici’s villa at Pratolino in the late 1570s. The exceptional quality of the present cast, with its delicate filing and carefully delineated surface planes, elevate it to one of the finest known examples cast by Antonio Susini, Giambologna's most trusted assistant working in bronze.

Post Lot Text

This lot has been imported from outside the EU for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on the invoice. Please see Conditions of Sale for further information.