Striking and richly detailed, this cast bronze sculpture of a yawning satyr is executed after the celebrated original by Claude Michel Clodion (1738–1814), one of the most important sculptors of the French Rococo period. The expressive figure is rendered with remarkable vitality—his languid stretch and open-mouthed yawn capturing a rare and humanizing moment in mythological subject matter. This piece perfectly embodies the lively charm and sensuality for which Clodion’s work is renowned, and it exemplifies the Rococo era’s affection for movement, emotion, and classical fantasy.

Clodion, known for his masterful terracotta sculptures and intricate compositions of nymphs, fauns, and classical deities, brought a distinctive softness and vitality to his works. His artistic legacy includes the celebrated Zephyrus and Flora (1799), whose swirling dynamism evokes the influence of Bernini. This bronze satyr, similarly, possesses a rhythmic grace and anatomical precision that elevates it beyond mere decorative art. With its roots in 18th-century French sculpture, this cast stands as a testament to Clodion’s enduring influence and the timeless allure of Rococo sculpture.

Clodion’s reputation was international in scope; his works were acquired by distinguished patrons including Catherine the Great and he contributed sculptural relief to the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel in Munich. Though he experienced a decline in favor toward the end of his life, his influence remains significant in both classical and decorative arts. This finely cast bronze figure—whether displayed on a pedestal or in a collection of European sculpture—is a commanding and historically rich work of art that carries forward Clodion’s unique fusion of myth, motion, and refined detail.