Frederick MacMonnies developed his skills while an apprentice to famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens and by his subsequent study at the National Academy of Design. As a result of MacMonnies’ friendship with prominent architect Charles F. McKim, a life-size version of Bacchante with Infant Faun was donated to the courtyard of McKim’s recently completed building, the Boston Public Library. When installed in 1896 its naturalistic figure, sensual exuberance, and its perceived reference to inebriation resulted in it being deemed inappropriate and offensive, causing it to be withdrawn and subsequently given to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. MacMonnies often cast his bronzes in various sizes to make the works available to a larger audience. In addition to the full-scale version, three smaller sizes of the subject were also cast. The sculpture provides a valuable link between the work of Hiram Powers and C. Paul Jennewein, both represented in TMA’s collection.