”SATYR”. TERRACOTTA. AFTER MODELS FROM CLODION, CLAUDE MICHEL (FRANCE, 1738-1814). LATE 19TH CENTURY-EARLY 20TH CENTURY.

“Satyr”. Patinated terracotta. Following models by CLODION, Claude Michel (France, 1738-1814). Late 19th century-early 20th century. A patinated terracotta sculpture consisting of an oval base decorated with simple architectural elements of classical influence and a tondo with a bust enhanced by a garland and two figures. These, lying on the upper part, are a satyr (with his usual goat-like legs) raising a bunch of grapes, and a young nymph, who embraces him while trying to reach these fruits. Compare this sculpture (not so much the base) with the one entitled “Nymph and Satyr” from the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon (Portugal), related to the sculptor Claude Michel, highlighting the similarities and differences. Pieces similar to the present work, also known as “Satyr Feeding a Nymph Grapes”, are kept in several private collections. Claude Michel “Clodion” (1730-1814) was a French sculptor who trained with Lambert Sigisbert Adam and Jean-Baptiste Pigalle. He was recognised with numerous awards (the Prix de Rome in 1762, etc.) and had an important workshop in Paris from 1771. Although he also produced large-scale works, he is above all known for his small-format sculptural works, made in bronze (or other materials such as corrugated iron or terracotta, for example), and which had a very important influence both during the sculptor's lifetime and long after his death on a large number of works inspired by his creations.

· Size: 38x31x40 cms.