The Lesson

Two creatures from Greek mythology, a satyr and an adolescent Cupid, interact in this sculptural group produced in the second half of the XIX th century. Despite his classical theme, the artist eschewed Neoclassical severity and immobility in favor of an individualistic, heavily sensual style with strong erotic undertones. The sinuous shapes speak of a Romanticism solidly founded on the depiction of disturbing emotions. In the National Fine Arts School, this transition towards a more tolerant and open art made itself felt among sculpture teachers such as Miguel Noreña and students such as Gabriel Guerra. Its private parts barely covered by a piece of sheepskin, Noreñas satyr, which has pointed ears and horns befitting a man-beast hybrid, is sitting on a crag, with its arms round a winged Cupid, in whose ear it is whispering unsavory advice, as is reflected in both the characters' facial expressions. The passionate, unbridled satyr is corrupting Cupid, the propagator of sincere love, and convincing the latter -according to the interpretations of the period- that romance can be procured without using arrows, since everything, including a desire that borders on the immoral, can be bought with money. This piece was probably banned by the censors at some point due to its undertones of homosexual eroticism. In 1881, five years after its execution, it was shown at the XXth Exhibition of the National Fine Arts School. It entered the MUNAL in 1982 as part of the latter´s founding endowment.