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Bronze figure of man on pedestal with candle holder in right hand

Shiny, dark bronze figurine of a man. He has a long mustache, a textured hat, and chin-length hair. His body is covered in carved wavy lines, indicating hair. A loincloth is wrapped around his hips. His left elbow is bent with his hand in a fist. In his raised right hand is a base for a candle. It appears to be eight-sided, and it is larger at the top than the bottom. The bottom of the base has a circular cutout. Extending down from the man’s feet are two small structures connected to a large circular base with carved ridges.

Gallery Text

Private patronage of art increased during the sixteenth century, significantly expanding the range of possible subject matter. The new themes often derived from classical models and displayed a naturalism that reflected the growing influence of humanism. Though no longer unequivocally Christian in content, these objects nevertheless continued to address moral issues and to concern themselves with the nature of the soul. For example, the salt cellars, which illustrate the labors of Hercules, are generally a metaphor for the triumph of virtue. With the growth of a mercantile economy and the consequent increase in lay patronage, figures of vanity and death also became popular subjects, as is evidenced by objects in this case.

Depictions of wild men were popular in Renaissance Germany.They were symbols of strength and virility, but also admonitions to viewers. Covered in hair and with very little clothing, they symbolized man’s innate beastly nature. Candleholders like this would have been used in private homes.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
BR62.79.A-B
People
Unidentified Artist
Title
Wild Man Candle Holder
Classification
Lighting Devices
Work Type
lighting device
Date
c. 1525-1550
Culture
German
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/222944

Location

Location
Level 2, Room 2540, European Art, 13th–16th century, The Renaissance
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Bronze (with modern socket)
Dimensions
30.2 × 15.5 × 15.5 cm (11 7/8 × 6 1/8 × 6 1/8 in.)
base: 6 × 15.5 × 15.5 cm (2 3/8 × 6 1/8 × 6 1/8 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Busch-Reisinger Museum, Purchase in memory of Eda K. Loeb
Accession Year
1962
Object Number
BR62.79.A-B
Division
European and American Art
Contact
am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
The base is circular.

Publication History

  • Charles L. Kuhn, German and Netherlandish Sculpture, 1280-1800, the Harvard Collections, Harvard University Press (Cambridge, MA, 1965), p. 20, cat. no. 37 pp. 84-85, repr. as pl. XXXVI
  • Peter Nisbet and Joseph Koerner, The Busch-Reisinger Museum, Harvard University Art Museums, ed. Peter Nisbet, Harvard University Art Museums and Scala Publishers Ltd. (Cambridge, MA and London, England, 2007), p. 223

Exhibition History

  • The European Savage, Centre de Cultura Contemporania, Barcelona, 02/18/2004 - 05/23/2004; Bancaixa Cultural Centre, Valencia, 06/16/2004 - 08/29/2004
  • 32Q: 2540 Renaissance, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Google Art Project

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of European and American Art at am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu