Satyr Statue - Satyr feeds Deer - Signed Bouraine

The Allure of Forest Mischief: Satyr feeds Deer - Signed Bouraine

In Satyr Lures Deer, Marcel‑André Bouraine captures a playful mythic moment: the lithe figure of a woodland satyr extends a sprig of laurel toward a wary doe, whose slender neck curves forward in tentative trust. Every ripple of muscle, from the satyr’s coiled leg to the deer’s taut haunch, has been rendered with a sculptor’s loving precision. The bronze surface—warm, burnished, and alive with the artist’s hand—glows softly under shifting light, inviting the viewer to step closer and sense the rustle of leaves and faint echo of laughter in an imagined forest clearing.

Bouraine’s Parisian Roots and Artistic Journey

Marcel‑André Bouraine entered the world 1886, in the heart of Paris, a city where artistic ferment pulsed through every café and atelier. He trained at the École des Arts Décoratifs under the tutelage of sculptors who prized both classical rigour and modern expression. By the 1920s, he had forged a distinctive style that blended Art Deco elegance with the sensuous curves of Art Nouveau—an aesthetic perfectly suited to the whimsical drama of mythological subjects like this seductive satyr statue.

Creation in the Roaring Twenties

Conceived and modeled in Bouraine’s Montparnasse studio around 1927, Satyr Lures Deer began as a small clay maquette studied under gaslight and natural Parisian daylight. Bouraine worked with live models to capture the precise tension of limbs and the subtleties of expression—his satyr both mischievous and charming, the deer both cautious and intrigued. Once satisfied, he entrusted the piece to a premier bronze foundry just outside the city, where the lost‑wax process preserved every fingerprint and tool mark. A final patina, applied in layered washes of chestnut and honey, brings depth to the sculpture’s curves and textures.

Anatomy as Storytelling

Rather than depict a static tableau, Bouraine chose a dynamic interplay: the satyr’s raised arm, taut with invitation, mirrors the deer's slender neck stretching to sniff the laurel’s promise. The creature’s twisted torso and tilted head speak of sly intent, while the doe’s gentle arch and delicate legs convey both curiosity and instinctual caution. This statue of a satyr becomes more than decoration—it tells a tale of playful seduction and fragile trust.

Polished Bronze and Poised Drama

Set upon a green marble plinth, the gleaming bronze figures stand in elegant contrast to the stone’s cool restraint. Light skimming across the satyr’s curled horns and the deer’s fine muzzle animates the scene, while deeper patinated valleys highlight every muscle groove and furrow. The sculpture’s overall effect is one of poised drama—an invitation to witness a secret moment that exists at the edge of myth and reality.

The Mythic Legacy of the Satyr

Satyrs have danced through the annals of mythology as embodiments of unbridled instinct and untamed nature—a half‑man, half‑goat symbol of both mischief and fertility. In ancient Greek lore they roamed woodlands, companions to Dionysus in revelry, their laughter rising above rustling leaves. Yet they were more than mere comic relief; satyrs signified humanity’s deep connection to the natural world and the dual impulses of restraint and abandon that dwell within us all. In Satyr Lures Deer, Bouraine taps into that rich tradition, reminding us that even the most playful trickster can mirror our own yearnings for freedom, transformation, and the simple joy of being alive.

Bouraine’s Lasting Legacy

Until his death in 1948, Bouraine continued to explore the intersection of classical themes and modern tastes, producing sculptures that remain celebrated in museums and private collections worldwide. His works—signed discreetly “Bouraine”—are prized for their technical mastery and evocative storytelling. Satyr Lures Deer stands among his most enchanting creations, a perfect distillation of his ability to bring bronze to life with both elegance and emotional resonance.

A Wildlife Reverie for Discerning Collectors

Whether gracing a refined library, illuminating a private gallery, or serving as a focal point in a modern study, this satyr statue transforms any interior into a stage for ancient fables. It invites prolonged reflection on the dance between predator and prey, invitation and hesitation, mischief and beauty. In its silent presence, one hears the distant murmur of streams and the rustle of branches—a reminder that even in our urban age, mythic wonder still awaits those who seek it.

Height: 20 cm

Width: 42,5 cm

Depth: 13,5 cm

Weight: 5,8 kg

100% bronze