[3] The sculpture was discovered in 1618, unearthed in the grounds of Santa Maria della Vittoria, near the Baths of Diocletian and within the bounds of the ancient Gardens of Sallust.

It was sold by prince Camillo Borghese in 1807, who was married to Pauline Bonaparte, and was under significant financial strain due to the heavy taxation imposed by the French.

In 1880, a third Roman marble variant was discovered and is now on display at the Museo Palazzo Massimo Alle Terme, part of the National Museum of Rome.

[8] Pointing to further popularity during the 17th century, there is record of John Evelyn purchasing a reduced-scale ivory version by François Duquesnoy in Rome around 1640.

Susini went on to create two additional variations of the form in bronze; a cast of one was in the collection of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé until sold in February 2009.