Bust of a Satyr
Accession Number
1970/1.193
Title
Bust of a Satyr
Artist(s)
Massimiliano Soldani Benzi
Object Creation Date
circa 1695
Medium & Support
bronze on wood base
Dimensions
18 11/16 in. x 9 13/16 in. x 5 11/16 in. ( 47.5 cm x 25 cm x 14.5 cm )
Subject matter
In Greek mythology satyrs were spirits of the forests and mountains and attendants of the god of wine and ecstasy, Dionysus. They were half-human, combining the head and torso of a man with the legs and cloven hooves of a goat, and were often associated with sloth, lechery, and drunken excess.
Physical Description
This small bust-length figure represents a mustached satyr turning his head toward his left. He wears an animal skin tied at his right shoulder over his bare chest. The liquid character of the cast bronze admirably captures the rippling muscles of the satyr's chest and the flowing curls of his hair and the animal pelt.
Primary Object Classification
Sculpture
Primary Object Type
casting
Additional Object Classification(s)
Metalwork
Collection Area
Western
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
bronzes (visual works)
literary theory
satyrs
1970/1.193
Title
Bust of a Satyr
Artist(s)
Massimiliano Soldani Benzi
Object Creation Date
circa 1695
Medium & Support
bronze on wood base
Dimensions
18 11/16 in. x 9 13/16 in. x 5 11/16 in. ( 47.5 cm x 25 cm x 14.5 cm )
Subject matter
In Greek mythology satyrs were spirits of the forests and mountains and attendants of the god of wine and ecstasy, Dionysus. They were half-human, combining the head and torso of a man with the legs and cloven hooves of a goat, and were often associated with sloth, lechery, and drunken excess.
Physical Description
This small bust-length figure represents a mustached satyr turning his head toward his left. He wears an animal skin tied at his right shoulder over his bare chest. The liquid character of the cast bronze admirably captures the rippling muscles of the satyr's chest and the flowing curls of his hair and the animal pelt.
Primary Object Classification
Sculpture
Primary Object Type
casting
Additional Object Classification(s)
Metalwork
Collection Area
Western
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
bronzes (visual works)
literary theory
satyrs
