Style Neo-Renaissance / Ref.14696

Cesare Fantacchiotti, Faust and Marguerite, circa 1900

This sculpture of Faust and Marguerite was made by the Italian sculptor Cesare Fantacchiotti around 1900.

Cesare Fantacchiotti (Florence, 1844-1922) was the son and pupil of Odoardo Fantacchiotti, whose workshop he took over in 1877. This prolific sculptor specialised in portraits, classical figures, allegories and historical figures. His fluency in English enabled him to receive numerous private commissions from English and American clients. In 1887, he was appointed chairman of the sculpture department of the Florence Academy of Decorative Arts. On his death in 1922, he bequeathed his studio to his pupil Donatello Gabrielli, who continued to produce in the style of his master and to work from his originals.

The story of Faust is told by several German authors. The most famous is Goethe: Faust promises his soul to Mephistopheles in exchange for universal knowledge and happiness. Mephistopheles introduces Faust to Marguerite, and the two fall madly in love. However, this love leads to the death of Marguerite's mother and brother, and the condemnation of the young woman. Goethe later invented a happy ending to the story, in which Faust's soul is saved from damnation by Marguerite's prayers.

The sculptor is thus depicting a cursed and unhappy love. Marguerite is holding the flower that bears her name (a daisy), which is also growing at her feet. Her head bowed, she allows herself to be seduced by the man she loves. For historical and literary accuracy, he dressed his characters in Renaissance fashion.

Cesare Fantacchiotti also executed a no less dramatic love statue of Romeo and Juliet for a certain Mr P. D. Phillips of Melbourne, following his visit to the artist's Florentine studio in 1919.