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Centaur and Dryad

Paul Manship American
1909–1913; cast 1913–14
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 774
Centaur and Dryad ranks as one of the major critical successes of Manship's early career. He modeled the group in Rome, commencing studies as early as 1909, and completed its elaborate pedestal in New York. The subject represented, a lecherous centaur attempting to embrace a protesting wood nymph, can be found in art of the ancient world. The rectangular pedestal of exquisite workmanship complements the theme of the group above it, the consumption of wine that releases the passions of the centaur, a mythological creature that is half-man and half-horse. There are low-relief scenes of satyrs chasing maenads, with two griffins on either narrow end. Around the bottom of the base is a decorative border of animals, birds, and dolphins.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Centaur and Dryad
  • Artist: Paul Manship (American, St. Paul, Minnesota 1885–1966 New York)
  • Date: 1909–1913; cast 1913–14
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: 27 3/4 x 21 1/4 x 11 1/8 in. (70.5 x 54.0 x 28.3 cm)
    Base: 1 5/8 x 19 3/4 x 11 1/8 in. (4.1 x 50.2 x 28.3 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Amelia B. Lazarus Fund, 1914
  • Object Number: 14.61
  • Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art

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