Spartacus

In Italy, the Swiss-Italian sculptor Vincenzo Vela showed the first signs of the new movement ‘verismo’ (realism) in his striking figure of Spartacus. Here, in a veiled form, modern events are referred to, for Vela’s image of the Thracian prince who led the revolt of the slaves in republican Rome echoed the emerging struggle of the north Italians against the rule of Austria.