Centauresse et Faune, Bronze sculpture in Parc de la Tête d'Or, Lyon, France

Centauresse et Faune is a 2.13 m bronze group by Augustin Courtet, cast in 1850 by the Parisian founder Quesnel, standing on a stadium-shaped stone pedestal in front of the Porte des Enfants du Rhône. A centauress rears on one back hoof, holding a wine cup and a falling drape, while a young faun is thrown back across her horse body. Below, a small leopard jumps onto an amphora, spilling wine among grapes and pinecones.

Sculptor Augustin Courtet created the work in 1849 in the Palais Saint-Pierre gardens before it was moved to its current location. The relocation integrated this piece into the broader sculptural collection developing within the park over time.

The work depicts mythological figures that reflect classical artistic tastes popular in 19th century France. You encounter this piece as part of the broader collection of statuary scattered throughout the park grounds.

The sculpture sits near the Porte des Enfants du Rhône entrance and is easy to find by following the main pathways through the park. You can use the park map to locate nearby artworks and plan your route around the grounds.

The faun's pose reverses the usual motif: here a centauress carries off a willing male, where tradition shows a male centaur abducting a nymph. Critics in 1849 and 1852 debated the subject, and F. Mercey suggested the grapes and cups were added to soften its erotic charge.