L’Arrotino, Italy 19th century

Bronze, green All’Antica Patina, on a verde antico marble base
Italy - Rome, 19th century
Grand Tour
After the Antique: Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Inv 1914 n230


H 21,5 x W 19,5 x D 10,5 cm
H 8 1/2 x W 7 2/3 x D 4 1/8 inch






The inspiration for L'Arrotino stems from a renowned ancient Roman marble sculpture, also known as "The Knife Grinder" or "The Sharpener," currently housed in the esteemed Gallerie degli Uffizi in Florence, Italy. Dating back to the first century AD, the original sculpture portrays a muscular figure sharpening a knife, symbolizing the humble yet indispensable occupation of a tradesman. The ancient artwork exemplifies the Roman penchant for depicting everyday life with remarkable realism and vitality, showcasing the skillful manipulation of marble to convey human emotion and movement.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Grand Tour emerged as a cultural rite of passage for affluent European aristocrats and intellectuals. Embarking on extended journeys across continental Europe, particularly Italy, these travelers sought to immerse themselves in the classical heritage of antiquity and the artistic splendors of the Renaissance.

The Grand Tour provided an opportunity for individuals to enrich their education, refine their tastes, and acquire cultural capital through firsthand encounters with renowned works of art and architecture.

L'Arrotino, with its faithful reproduction of an ancient Roman masterpiece, epitomizes the fervent interest in classical antiquity that characterized the Grand Tour experience. As travelers traversed the ancient ruins of Rome, explored the magnificent collections of Italian palaces and museums, and commissioned replicas of famous sculptures as mementos of their journey, they became conduits for the transmission of classical ideals and aesthetic sensibilities across Europe.

L'Arrotino serves as a tangible link between the artistic legacy of ancient Rome and the cultural phenomenon of the Grand Tour. Its presence in the 19th-century Italian artistic landscape reflects not only a reverence for classical antiquity but also a desire to evoke the spirit of exploration and discovery that defined an era of intellectual curiosity and aesthetic appreciation.