Giuliano de' Medici c. 1475 - 1478

Andrea del Verrocchio, around 1475, modeled this bust of Giuliano de' Medici in terracotta, a humble material for a powerful man. Terracotta, meaning "baked earth," has been used for millennia. Its porous, granular texture readily accepts fine detail, seen here in the delicate curls of Giuliano's hair and the ornate armor. Verrocchio likely built the bust in stages, adding clay coils to gradually build up the form. The surface may have been smoothed with simple tools, before firing the sculpture in a kiln. The choice of terracotta is significant. While marble or bronze would have conveyed nobility through inherent value, terracotta emphasizes skill. The artist's ability to transform raw earth into a lifelike portrait becomes the focus. This shift reflects the rising status of artists during the Renaissance, moving away from mere craftsmanship to a demonstration of intellectual and creative power. This bust, therefore, isn't just a portrait, but a statement about the value of artistic labor.