Andiron with the Figure of Jupiter 1600 - 1700

This andiron, featuring the figure of Jupiter, was made in Venice by Niccolò Roccatagliata, sometime in the early 17th century. It is bronze, a metal prized for its strength, durability, and ability to capture fine detail. The lost wax casting process would have been used to create this complex form. Molten bronze was poured into a mold created from a wax model, a technique demanding considerable expertise, and the result of highly skilled labor. Roccatagliata and his workshop would have been adept in modeling, mold-making, and metal finishing. The bronze is patinated with a dark, almost black color, achieved through a chemical process that gives the surface depth and richness. An object like this speaks to the wealth and taste of its original owner, who would have been part of the Venetian elite. The andiron transcends the boundary between the functional and the purely artistic, demonstrating how the creative skills of craftspeople are central to our experience of art.