The Fall of Phaeton

Central Italian 16th Century, after the Antique

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture features a dynamic scene with figures, horses, and a chariot. At the center, two horses are sculpted mid-movement pulling a chariot, driven by a figure holding the reins. On the right side, a male figure appears to be falling backwards from the chariot. On the left side, another figure seems to be gesturing or reaching out. Below the central scene, there is a depiction of water pouring from an overturned vessel and a bird in front of it. The sculpture is oval in shape and made of metal, with a bronze-like color. The scene is intricately detailed, giving a sense of motion and action frozen in time.