Sculpture, Icaro - 35 cm - Earthenware

Icarus – Terracotta sculpture with patina, 20th century

Figurative sculpture in patinated terracotta, dated to the 20th century, depicting Icarus, one of the most intense subjects of classical mythology.

The work presents the young hero in a strongly dynamic and dramatic pose. The body, tense and projected upward, suggests the moment of flight, the challenge, and the imminent fall. The intentionally tactile modeling, with irregular surfaces, incisions, reliefs, and traces of patina, gives the figure an expressive and almost tormented character.

Particularly interesting is the treatment of the surface, characterized by a dark patina with metallic reflections and coppery tones, which gives the terracotta the visual appearance of an ancient bronze. The lighter areas and abrasions further highlight the sculpture’s plasticity and the artist’s manual craftsmanship.

The subject of Icarus takes on here a modern reading: not only the myth of the man who flies too close to the sun, but also a representation of ambition, the desire to surpass one’s limits, freedom, and human fragility.

A work of strong stage presence, suitable for both a 20th-century sculpture collection and a contemporary setting.

Material: patinated terracotta
Subject: Icarus
Era: 20th century
Dimensions: approximately 35 × 25 × 22 cm
Conditions: good overall condition compatible with the age and with the particular textural treatment of the work. Any irregularities, abrasions, and patina variations are part of the sculpture’s character.