Bound Satyr 

Andrea Briosco, called Riccio, created this small bronze sculpture of a Bound Satyr in around the late 15th or early 16th century. The bronze casting process is key to understanding this work. Molten bronze was poured into a mold, allowed to cool, and then carefully finished with chisels and files. This was a skilled job, requiring years of training. The resulting surface has a dark, patinated finish, which would have been highly prized at the time. But beyond the technical virtuosity, the material itself speaks to the cultural moment. Bronze was associated with classical antiquity, and the rediscovery of ancient art and literature was a major preoccupation of the Renaissance. The choice of bronze signals Riccio’s aspiration to align himself with this prestigious past, creating works that were both beautiful and intellectually stimulating. So, next time you look at a bronze sculpture, remember that it is not just about the form, but also about the material and the making, which connect the artist to a much wider world of skill, knowledge, and cultural aspiration.