After the Antique: A pair of cast iron figures of Atalanta and Hippomene, French, circa 1870

The model for Atlanta is a marble copy by Pierre Lepautre made in 1704 from an antique original in the Louvre. Lepautre's model inspired three other statues all illustrating the theme of the 'coureurs' one of which was the model for Hippomene sculpted in 1712 by Guillaume Coustou. Both were placed on elegant pedestals on an island in the Bassin de Carpes at Marly.  During the revolution they were transferred to the Tuileries gardens in Paris.  Now both are housed in Louvre.

Atalanta was an athletic huntress, any potential suitor was challenged to a race, the penalty for the loser was death, she remained unbeaten until Hippomene challenged her. During the race he dropped three golden apples given to him by Venus, Atalanta could not resist stoping to pick them up and therefore lost the race.