Study of the Borghese Gladiator Sculpture

This painting is a study of the Borghese Gladiator, an acclaimed classical sculpture held in Rome. Casts of the statue exist all over the globe, and have been used by artists and students as a study of athletic anatomy. Indeed, the attention to detail that the artist displays in depicting the statue lends the painting an air of photographic realism. Not only has the artist rendered the athletic anatomy accurately, they have also perfectly painted the marble texture of the sculpture, demonstrating their keen artistic talent.

The back of the painting is stamped ‘ESK’, indicating that it was painted by an arts student taught under the South Kensington System syllabus. This student is likely Maria Brooks, who studied at the South Kensington Art School and produced, in 1872, a chalk drawing depicting the Borghese Gladiator statue at the exact angle and perspective as in this painting. It is possible that her chalk drawing informed this painting, and that it was examined as part of her studies to become an artist.

Maria Brooks

Maria Matilda Brooks was born in Staines, England, in 1837. She attended the South Kensington Art School and was still a student when it became known as the Royal Academy School. After her studies, Brooks exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Royal Society of British Artists, the Society of Women Artists, and in exhibitions in Manchester and Liverpool. She relocated to Canada and then to New York, and also spent time in Australia. Therefore, her works were exhibited in cities around the world, including St Louis, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Melbourne and Montreal. Maria Brooks died in late 1913 after being struck down by a car.