Bull sculpture. Greece, 5th century B.C.

Bull sculpture. Greece, 5th century BC.
Bronze.
Good state of preservation.
Provenance: Private collection, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France.
Measurements: 12 cm long; 7,5 cm high.

Solid and expressive representation of a bull in bronze, dated in the 5th century B.C., the peak of classical Greek art. The figure, of compact proportions and synthetic modeling, conveys a remarkable sense of restrained strength, capturing the essence of the animal through refined volumes and a direct observation of nature.

The treatment of the anatomy, with the back slightly arched and the legs firmly seated, reflects the balance between naturalism and stylization characteristic of small-format Greek sculpture. These types of pieces, made by casting, could have a votive function, being offered in sanctuaries, or be part of domestic contexts as objects of prestige.