Nereid and Ichtyocentaur
Statuette
early 16th century (made)
early 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This statuette is made in the style of Il Riccio (Andrea Briosco) (ca. 1470-1532) in Padua in the early 16th century.
This bronze exists in several differing versions. Technical evidence suggests that a piece-mould was made of the core of the original model from which other cores were cast. Riccio's usual method of modelling the wax over each core was then followed, allowing for replicas of the original bronze to be made.
In Greek mythology, the Nereids are the 50 sea nymphs, daughters of Nereus and Doris. The Ichthyocentaur is a version of the centaur with the upper half of a man, the forelegs of a horse or lion and the tail of a dolphin or a fish.
This bronze exists in several differing versions. Technical evidence suggests that a piece-mould was made of the core of the original model from which other cores were cast. Riccio's usual method of modelling the wax over each core was then followed, allowing for replicas of the original bronze to be made.
In Greek mythology, the Nereids are the 50 sea nymphs, daughters of Nereus and Doris. The Ichthyocentaur is a version of the centaur with the upper half of a man, the forelegs of a horse or lion and the tail of a dolphin or a fish.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Titles |
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| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Statuette, bronze, Nereid riding an Ichthyocentaur, in the style of Il Riccio, Italy (Padua), early 16th century |
| Physical description | Bronze statuette of a Nereid riding an Ichthyocentaur. The monster has a human trunk with two slender curving supports for legs, and a curled fish tail. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | STATUETTES
About 1520
Follower of Andrea Briosco, called Riccio (1470–1532)
These statuettes imitate the style of Riccio, the leading Paduan bronze maker. Most
of his bronzes were unique, but these imitations survive in numbers, suggesting a wide demand.They capture the interest in both classical literature and the natural world. The mythological sea nymph rides an ichthycentaur, a man-animal marine hybrid. Venus holds a cornucopia, a symbol of abundance (number 6). The goat evokes an idyllic pastoral lifestyle, but may also have had more complex meanings (number 25).
Italy, Padua
Bronze
8)
Nereid Riding an Ichthyocentaur
Salting Bequest
Museum no. A.91-1910 |
| Credit line | Salting Bequest |
| Object history | From the Salting bequest. Historical significance: This bronze exists in several differing versions. Technical evidence suggests that a piece-mould was made of the core of the original model from which other cores were cast. Riccio's usual method of modelling the wax over each core was then followed, allowing for replicas of the original bronze to be made. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This statuette is made in the style of Il Riccio (Andrea Briosco) (ca. 1470-1532) in Padua in the early 16th century. This bronze exists in several differing versions. Technical evidence suggests that a piece-mould was made of the core of the original model from which other cores were cast. Riccio's usual method of modelling the wax over each core was then followed, allowing for replicas of the original bronze to be made. In Greek mythology, the Nereids are the 50 sea nymphs, daughters of Nereus and Doris. The Ichthyocentaur is a version of the centaur with the upper half of a man, the forelegs of a horse or lion and the tail of a dolphin or a fish. |
| Bibliographic reference | 'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 4 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.91-1910 |
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| Record created | October 21, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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