An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Satyress and Child1803
Clodion
Born in Nancy to a family of artists, Clodion was one of the leading French sculptors of the ancien régime and Napoleonic era. He went to Paris to study sculpture in 1755 and worked in Rome from 1767 to 1771. Although inspired by the art of classical antiquity, as seen in the mythological subject of this terracotta relief, Clodion continued to model forms with a softness and delicacy reflective of his training during the Rococo period.
An invention of European artists of the post-Roman period, a satyress is the female equivalent of the male satyr in classical antiquity. Part human and part goat or horse, the satyress can be recognized by her animal legs and hoofs.
terracotta
Diameter: 30.7 cm (12 1/16 in.)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph King
In the quaint, artistic town of Nancy, a young boy emerged from a lineage steeped in creativity. Clodion, born into a family where the brushstrokes of imagination painted everyday life, was destined to mold forms of beauty. His early years were draped in the spirit of creation, where the echoes of past artists whispered in his ears.
At the tender age of fourteen, Clodion set forth on his journey to Paris in 1755, a bustling city alive with the vibrant pulse of new ideas. Here, he immersed himself in the world of sculpture, chiseling away at both stone and doubt. Yet, his ambitions led him beyond the city lights, guiding him to the sun-drenched streets of Rome between 1767 and 1771. There, among the remnants of ancient grandeur, he encountered the intoxicating allure of classical antiquity that would forever shape his artistry.
While Clodion found inspiration in the myths and legends of times long past, his hands shaped forms that reflected a softer touch—an elegant delicacy that echoed the Rococo period’s embrace of beauty and grace. In one of his notable creations, a terracotta relief unfolded like a storybook, its mythological subjects dancing upon the molten canvas of the earth. Each curve and contour whispered tales of gods and heroes, rendered with a gentleness that resonated with the viewer’s heart.
Thus, from the softly lit studios of Nancy to the grand marble halls of Rome, Clodion carved a legacy interwoven with history and artistry, forever inviting those who stood before his works to feel the pulse of narratives that transcend time.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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