Infant and satyr child with a panther 1730 - 1765

Louis Félix de La Rue created "Infant and satyr child with a panther," a bronze sculpture, sometime between 1731 and 1765. This artwork emerges from a historical context marked by shifts in societal roles and perceptions of childhood. The sculpture offers a glimpse into the complex ways identities were negotiated in 18th century France. It questions what is meant to be human: the children have human faces and bodies, yet the infant has goat legs and the other child is adorned with leaves. The statue also raises questions about innocence and corruption, given the satyr's historical association with debauchery. The softness of the figures contrasts with the wildness of the panther, creating tension in the piece. Through his rendering of the children’s embrace, La Rue evokes questions about the vulnerability and resilience of childhood.