Milo of Croton

This statuette is based on a marble sculpture by Pierre Puget, completed in 1682. Although the V&A sculpture is made of terracotta (fired clay), the surface has been painted to resemble bronze, a much more expensive material, so the end result would have been intended to look like bronze - at least from a distance.

Milo of Croton was a legendary athlete of great strength who lived at Croton in Southern Italy in the 6th century BC. Legend has it that on seeing an oak tree partly split open with a wedge he tested his strength once more by trying to wrench it apart, but the wedge fell out, his hands were trapped, and he was devoured by wild beasts.