In late Greek legend, Narcissus was a beautiful youth who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool. He ignored the devotions of Echo, who pined away and died when her love was unrequited. At his own death, Narcissus was turned into the flower that bears his name.

The antique prototype of the statue was discovered at Pompeii in 1862.
The present bronze displays a fine attention to detail and finish distinctive of works produced by the Nisini foundry at the end of the 19th century.