Phalaris and the Bull of Perillus

About this artwork

This classical subject tells the cautionary tale of the sculptor Perillus, who offered to make a bronze bull in which the tyrant Phalaris could roast his enemies. Perillus was rewarded by being the contraption’s first victim. In the Renaissance this story was interpreted as a moral fable of how bad advice rebounds on the giver, and it is here presented against the backdrop of a large, contemporary piazza. The relief is attributed to Giovanni Caccini on the basis of its stylistic relationship to ...

Art Historical Context

This terracotta relief by Giovanni Battista Caccini, created between 1590 and 1600, portrays the dramatic mythological subject of Phalaris and the Bull of Perillus. Measuring 68.6 by 87.6 cm, the work belongs to the European sculpture collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. As a relief, it allowed the artist to explore depth and narrative within a compact format, typical of late Renaissance sculptural studies. Caccini’s choice of terracotta, enhanced with traces of polychromy, reflects the period’s emphasis on expressive modeling and the desire for lifelike color in preparatory or decorative pieces. Such materials enabled sculptors to refine compositions quickly and affordably before executing them in bronze or marble. The surviving hints of paint suggest how these works once appeared more vivid and engaging to viewers. This piece offers insight into Italian artistic traditions of the late 16th century, where classical myths served as vehicles for demonstrating technical skill and storytelling. Its presence in the museum invites contemplation of how sculptors bridged ancient legends with contemporary craftsmanship.