Workshop of Ferdinando Tacca (Florence 1619-1686 Florence) Italian, Florence, 17th Century

Wrestling matches between scantily clad pairs of women and men were a form of court entertainment in Italy during the 17th century. While the grappling women in this example are modestly covered with drapery around their hips, they are presented entirely nude in other variants of this composition. A similar cast of wrestling men is often paired with this group, and has also been attributed to Tacca's workshop.