Standing Boy c. 16th century

Severo da Ravenna, who was active in the early 16th century, made this statuette of a boy in bronze. Bronze casting is an ancient technology. It begins with a carefully worked model, often in wax, which is then invested in clay to create a mold. The mold is heated so the wax runs out, and molten bronze is poured in. The figure’s posture is casual, but also carefully studied, suggesting the artist’s deep engagement with classical sculpture. The bronze itself has a rich, dark surface, achieved through careful control of the alloy mixture and the application of heat. The resulting patina gives the sculpture an almost luminous quality. In the Renaissance, bronze statuettes like this were luxury goods, prized for their beauty and the skill required to produce them. The artist, Severo, was clearly a master of his medium, able to coax a remarkable sense of life and movement from this dense, heavy material. Considering the investment of time, labour, and material, it is clear that this sculpture represents not just an artistic achievement, but also a social and economic statement.