A faun was a creature of ancient mytholog y, a shepherd figure that was part human, part goat. In ecstatic intoxication, the fauns followed the winegod Bacchus. In Sergel’s sculpture there is nothing at first glance to suggest that this is such a creature. The human body is realistically portrayed, but at the base of the spine a small goat’s tail can be seen. The Faun was the work that brought Sergel his breakthrough, and was carved when he was in Rome. It was made in two copies, of which this one became part of Gustav III’s collection.