Children and satyr children stealing the cubs of a pantheress (part of a group) 1776 - 1786

This large-scale relief sculpture, created by the French artist Clodion between 1776 and 1786, depicts a playful scene of children and satyr children stealing the cubs of a pantheress. The work, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is characteristic of Clodion’s Rococo style, emphasizing playful, sensual forms and delicate details. The composition, with its numerous figures and dynamic poses, captures a moment of mischievous energy and the joy of youth. The relief, with its subtle modeling and light-filled background, evokes a sense of naturalism and movement, creating a captivating tableau of playful innocence amidst the wild beauty of nature.