Artwork preview

Incense Burner

Possibly Paduan or Venetian 16th Century

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture features a person sitting atop a highly decorated base. The person is a man with horns, cloven feet, and a muscular torso. He is nude except for a leaf covering his groin, and he holds a pan flute. He looks up and to the left with an open mouth. Below the seated man, the base of the sculpture is adorned with intricate patterns and reliefs, including winged people, human faces, shells, animals, and cherubs. The sculpture is on a base supported by crouching figures. The sculpture is made of dark-gray material with a metallic sheen, giving it a monochromatic appearance.

Artwork Details

Date
c. 1560/1580
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
10274 × 14384 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette