YOUTHFUL TORSO White marble, patina and historical restorations H. 45 cm; H. with plinth 60 cm Roman art, 1st–2nd century Provenance Former private collection in the South of France, acquired before 1983 Photographic records, December 1983 Collection inventory dated 1991 By inheritance A sworn statement with a photograph will be provided to the purchaser confirming that this lot has been part of the aforementioned collection since the 1970s Torso of a naked young man, with a youthful, athletic build; the head, arms and legs are missing. The musculature is rendered with fluidity: well-defined pectoral muscles, a pronounced linea alba, and sculpted groin folds. The body has a fracture across the abdomen, which has now been repaired. The surface retains traces of earthy deposits. The idealised form, derived from a Greek model, evokes Apollo, Hermes, Dionysus or a nude hero.