She-bear 1500 - 1515

Andrea Briosco, called Riccio, made this bronze “She-bear” in Italy sometime before 1532. The lost wax casting process used to create this sculpture allowed for incredible detail, capturing the texture of the bear's fur. You can imagine Riccio carefully carving the original wax model, building up layer upon layer to achieve this lifelike representation. Bronze was a favored material of the Renaissance, as it allowed artists to emulate the grandeur of classical sculpture, but the addition of the collar and ring speaks of the animal trade so prevalent at this time. The bear's pose is both dignified and slightly mournful, the bronze gives a sense of permanence and value to this object, yet the inclusion of these elements raises some difficult questions. Was this creature a beloved pet, or simply a spectacle for entertainment? Either way, it is through the skilled crafting of materials and the object’s cultural context that we can fully appreciate the meaning and impact of this powerful sculpture.