Bicha de Balazote, Bronze sculpture in Jardines del Altozano, Albacete, Spain
The Bicha de Balazote is a bronze sculpture in the Jardines del Altozano in Albacete that depicts a mythological creature with a bull body and a human head. The original work was carved from stone with careful attention to features like the large eyes and small mouth.
The sculpture was discovered near Balazote and is dated to between 525 and 476 BC. It was found during excavations that uncovered an ancient burial mound.
This sculpture shows how Greek and Iberian traditions came together in art made during this time. The piece demonstrates that people in this region drew inspiration from different cultures around the Mediterranean.
A replica of the statue stands in the gardens for viewing, while the original remains at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid. Visitors can study the replica directly in the gardens and examine the details of this ancient figure.
The work consists of two separate stone blocks, with the head and body carved independently. This construction method reveals how sculptors pieced together different sections to create the finished figure.
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