The sculpture depicts a muscular, nude male figure engaged in combat with a bull. The man is shown in a dynamic pose, with one arm raised high as if to strike, while his legs are positioned over the bull, emphasizing the struggle and energy of the scene. The bull is on its back, seemingly subdued beneath the man. The material of the sculpture appears to be metal, with a patinated finish that gives it a predominantly dark brown color, with hints of greenish patina in some areas. The piece is rendered in relief on a rectangular plaque with rounded corners. The small-scale sculpture presents a scene of mythological or heroic accomplishment.
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The sculpture depicts a muscular, nude male figure engaged in combat with a bull. The man is shown in a dynamic pose, with one arm raised high as if to strike, while his legs are positioned over the bull, emphasizing the struggle and energy of the scene. The bull is on its back, seemingly subdued beneath the man. The material of the sculpture appears to be metal, with a patinated finish that gives it a predominantly dark brown color, with hints of greenish patina in some areas. The piece is rendered in relief on a rectangular plaque with rounded corners. The small-scale sculpture presents a scene of mythological or heroic accomplishment.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

A Warrior Fighting a Centaur

Italian 18th Century

Date
18th century
Medium
bronze//Medium brown patina
Dimensions
overall (oblong): 4.6 x 5.3 cm (1 13/16 x 2 1/16 in.) gross weight: 40 gr
Classification
Sculpture · Plaquette
Accession number
1957.14.551
Credit line
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Time span
1651 to 1700
Department
CSD

Subjects and terms

  • Italian
  • classical
  • mythology
  • Renaissance
  • Renaissance Plaquettes
  • Centaur
  • Theseus
Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his estate; purchased 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London and New York); purchased 1945 by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York; gift 1957 to NGA.

NGA object ID 44271. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.