Italian Carved Spinario Alabaster Sculpture

This carved alabaster figure represents Spinario, also known as The Thorn Puller, one of the most enduring motifs of classical antiquity. The composition depicts a seated youth bent in concentration, absorbed in the act of removing a thorn from his foot—a study in restraint, introspection, and anatomical clarity.

The subject originates from a celebrated ancient prototype recorded in Rome as early as the medieval period and later preserved in prominent Italian collections. Versions of Spinario were widely admired during the Renaissance and beyond, studied by artists for its balance of naturalism and compositional economy. By the 19th century, the figure had become a canonical Grand Tour image, reproduced in stone for travelers and collectors seeking tangible connections to antiquity.

This example is carved in alabaster, with a smooth, idealized treatment of the figure set against a more roughly worked, rock-like base. The contrast between polished flesh and textured ground reflects neoclassical academic conventions and underscores the sculptural focus of the form. 

Dimensions: 14" H × 7" W × 7" D
Style: Neoclassical
Materials & Techniques: Carved alabaster
Place of Origin: Italy
Period: Late 19th century (circa 1890)