The Bird Catcher c. 16th century

"The Bird Catcher," a bronze sculpture from the 16th century, depicts a man in a realistic pose, capturing the essence of a common trade. The artist, while anonymous, successfully conveys the dynamism of the subject's action, as he reaches up, likely to catch a bird. The detail in the figure's clothing and posture suggests a keen observation of everyday life. The sculpture, now housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is a fine example of Renaissance-era bronze casting and its potential to portray everyday scenes.