Discobolo at Rest

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On December 26th, 1829, Mathieu Kessels secured academic residency at the Accademia nazionale di San Luca. On November 5th, 1830, he donated his plaster work, Discobolo at Rest, after dedicating himself to this project several times since arriving in Rome in 1819. Prior to that, during a stay in Paris and Russia, Kessels worked under the guidance of Thorvaldsen in his studio, where he honed his skills as a pupil. This sculpture showcases clear references to classical art and Hellenistic styles. Various European museums preserve numerous replicas, partial reproductions, and variants of Dell'opera. The existence of multiple versions on the theme of discus thrower is confirmed by an inventory of works in Kessels' studio at Piazza dei Cappuccini 83, compiled up to his death, which lists numerous plaster casts of Discobolo in various poses, as well as a marble head derived from Discobolo.