Sculpture, Icaro - 35 cm - Earthenware

Icarus – Sculpture in patinated terracotta, 20th century

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

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

Particularly interesting is the surface treatment, 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 emphasize the sculpture’s plasticity and the sculptor’s manual workmanship.

The subject of Icarus here takes on 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 dramatic presence, suitable both for a 20th-century sculpture collection and for a contemporary setting.

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