Bronze Sculpture - Boy with Thorn in foot Statue - signed Milo

Boy with Thorn – Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture - Signed Milo

The Boy with Thorn captures the poignant instant when childhood innocence meets the sharp lesson of pain, immortalized in warm, glowing bronze. Seated upon a naturalistic rocky base, the young figure bends forward, one hand grasping his foot as he delicately removes an unseen barb. His sculpted form—soft limbs, tousled hair, and bowed head—conveys vulnerability and focus in equal measure. As a boy with thorn in foot statue, this work transcends mere decoration to become a universal emblem of resilience and discovery.

The Artist’s Lyrical Origins

Miguel Fernando Lopez, affectionately known as Milo, was born 1955 in Lisbon, Portugal, where the city’s winding alleys and shimmering riverbanks first stirred his creative imagination. Early encounters with tile-clad façades and maritime monuments awakened in him a fascination for human form and narrative. After rigorous training at the University of Lisbon’s Faculty of Fine Arts, Milo honed his technique through residencies in Paris and Vienna, merging classical realism with the sinuous lines of Art Nouveau. In the Boy with Thorn, one witnesses the culmination of these diverse influences.

Crafted in Lisbon’s Premier Foundry

Within Milo’s sunlit atelier overlooking the Tagus River, the boy with thorn was realized through the ancient lost-wax process at Atelier da Ribeira, Lisbon’s esteemed bronze foundry. Master artisans translated every nuance of Milo’s clay maquette into enduring metal, preserving the delicate tension in the child’s posture and the subtle textures of skin and stone. A nuanced patina bath imparts a range of warm umber and soft graphite tones, heightening the sculpture’s emotional resonance. Each piece bears the discreet “Signed Milo” engraving, assuring collectors of its authenticity.

Art Nouveau Elegance Reimagined

While rooted in classical anatomy, the Boy with Thorn incorporates the flowing, organic motifs characteristic of Art Nouveau. Curving contours echo the sinuous lines of the child’s reclining form, while the base’s irregular silhouette recalls the movement of water or wind-swept rock. These stylized elements lend the figure a lyrical grace, transforming a simple story of childhood discomfort into a poetic dance of volume and negative space. The result is an object that feels both timeless and distinctly modern.

Emotional Resonance of Pain and Innocence

At its heart, this bronze sculpture speaks to the transformative power of small adversities. The child’s concentration and slight curve of the lips suggest both discomfort and determination, inviting viewers to reflect on their own moments of learning. In evoking the duality of pain and growth, Milo elevates the Boy with Thorn beyond mere representation. It becomes a mirror for empathy, reminding us that every journey toward maturity begins with a single, unexpected prick.

A Poetic Centerpiece for Any Collection

Measuring 47 centimeters in height, this boy with thorn in foot statue commands attention without overwhelming its surroundings. Whether placed upon a marble console in a refined study or nestled within a sunlit niche in a private gallery, it enriches any setting with its narrative depth and sculptural beauty. The interplay of polished highlights and textured recesses ensures that each viewing reveals new subtleties, making the piece a living testament to Milo’s mastery of form and emotion.

An Heirloom of Artful Compassion

Signed by the artist, the Boy with Thorn promises to become a cherished heirloom. Its harmonious proportions, emotive power, and masterful finishing secure its place among the finest contemporary interpretations of Art Nouveau. In this garden statue tall, Miguel Fernando Lopez invites admirers to pause, empathize, and ultimately celebrate the resilience of the human spirit—an enduring tribute cast forever in bronze.

Height: 47 cm
Width: 27 cm
Depth: 30 cm
Weight: 20 kg
100% Bronze