Phalaris and the Bull of Perillus
1590/1600
Medium
Terracotta with traces of polychromy
Dimensions
68.6 × 87.6 cm (27 × 34 1/2 in.)
Classification
relief
Department
Painting and Sculpture of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
29431
Art Historical Context
This terracotta relief by Giovanni Battista Caccini, created between 1590 and 1600, portrays the dramatic mythological subject of Phalaris and the Bull of Perillus. Measuring 68.6 by 87.6 cm, the work belongs to the European sculpture collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. As a relief, it allowed the artist to explore depth and narrative within a compact format, typical of late Renaissance sculptural studies. Caccini’s choice of terracotta, enhanced with traces of polychromy, reflects the period’s emphasis on expressive modeling and the desire for lifelike color in preparatory or decorat...