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

This work was created by Claude Michel, known as Clodion, in France sometime in the eighteenth century. It’s a long, narrow sculpture in the round, depicting children and satyrs stealing panther cubs. Clodion was well known for his terracotta sculptures, often produced on a relatively small scale. These were luxury items and are connected with the aristocratic tastes and libertine culture of late eighteenth-century France. The composition invokes classical imagery with its depiction of bacchanals and mythological subjects. At the same time, it speaks to contemporary social mores through its playful and erotic themes. Here, the sculpted bodies are rendered with a sense of movement and drama, reflecting the Rococo style favored by the French court. It is important to remember the social history of art, as these themes and styles were designed to appeal to the tastes and sensibilities of the aristocracy. Looking into the social and institutional context of this piece can help us to better understand its meanings and lasting influence.