Satyr Family c. 1500

Andrea Riccio, who was working in Padua around 1500, created this bronze relief called 'Satyr Family'. The bronze is cast, meaning molten metal was poured into a mold, a process demanding both technical knowledge and artistic skill. Notice how the figures emerge from the dark background. This was achieved through careful modeling of the wax positive from which the mold was made. Look closely and you'll see the artist has tooled the surface, adding texture and detail. The satyr’s hair, the rough bark of the tree, even the pupils of their eyes, are all carefully delineated. The bronze is a warm brown color. This is not paint, but a carefully controlled oxidation of the metal surface. This "patina" not only protects the bronze, but gives it a beautiful, antique appearance. The artist, and the labor, literally baked into the piece. This tactile quality invites us to connect with the artist's process and, by extension, with the vibrant artistic culture of Renaissance Padua.