Story from Ovid's Metamorphoses 16th - 17th century

This lead artwork, "Story from Ovid's Metamorphoses," was created by Guglielmo della Porta. The small scale is striking, yet the eye is immediately drawn to the dynamic composition densely packed with figures. The composition's power lies in its masterful organization of chaos. Della Porta uses the oval shape to frame a scene teeming with movement, from the frantic gestures of the characters to the twisting forms of the trees. The figures are not merely placed, but interwoven, creating a surface that is activated by the interplay of light and shadow across the relief. Della Porta's command of form transforms a classical narrative into a study of shape and rhythm. This piece isn't just illustrating a story; it's using that story as a framework to explore the possibilities of sculptural form. It challenges us to consider how narrative can be conveyed through the abstract qualities of shape and composition.