The Fall of Phaeton 1485 - 1515

"The Fall of Phaeton" is a bronze plaquette, or small relief sculpture, created by Moderno (Galeazzo Mondella) between 1485 and 1515. The piece depicts the Greek myth of Phaeton, son of the sun god Helios, who was given permission to drive the chariot of the sun but was unable to control the fiery steeds. As Phaeton crashes the chariot to earth, the horses thrash and buck in the turbulent scene. The small, circular relief showcases Moderno’s skill in rendering dynamic movement and anatomical detail. This plaquette, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the Renaissance interest in classical mythology and the human form.