Francesco Moasca, called II Moschino
Italian, 1525=1578
The ancient Roman poet Ovid provided the subject matter for this sculpture. Here, Meleager, prince of Calydon, is moments away from embrascing Atalanta, the virgin huntress with whom he has fallen in love. The two have just killed a wild boar that had been unleashed upon the countryside by Diana, goddess of the hunt, for lack of attention paid to her by the kingdom of Claydon. The head of their trophy, the boar, lies between the two lover's feet. The smooth sensuality of the surface of this sculpture is typical of the refined taste of Mosca's Florentine patrons at the time.