ALCEO DOSSENA (1878-1937) | PACING STALLION

The maverick sculptor Alceo Dossena is a curious figure in the history of art. Born in Cremona in 1878, Dossena showed some artistic talent and, at a young age, was employed as assistant to a marble mason who specialised in the restoration of churches in northern Italy. He thus gained a wealth of experience not only in the imitation of historic sculptural styles, but also in the treatment of surfaces to lend them the appearance of age. Having enjoyed a successful career as a restorer of sculpture, he found himself unemployed after the war and turned to the conception of original works in the style and spirit of centuries past. Although Dossena apparently sold his works honestly as his own, not intending to deceive, many of his sculptures circulated on the art market as from the period, fooling connoisseurs and collectors. In 1928 Dossena himself discovered the deception surrounding his works and sued his dealers. As a consequence a number of his works were exhibited and sold in New York in 1933.

This beautifully carved Stallion, inspired by the Horses of San Marco in Venice, is a testament to Dossena's dexterity in the handling of marble as well as his expertise in the application of an aged patina. In the all'antica fashion, he included a strut and palm tree as supports for the fragile composition.