Bozzetto for Saint Paul c. 1776

Leandro Gagliardi’s "Bozzetto for Saint Paul" is a terracotta sculpture dating to around 1776. The sculpture, housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, is a "bozzetto" - a preliminary model for a larger work, representing the apostle Saint Paul. Gagliardi’s use of terracotta gives the figure a rough, unfinished feel, suggesting that it was created as a study for a more polished and detailed final sculpture. Saint Paul’s draped clothing, captured in flowing lines, embodies the artist’s meticulous attention to detail. The sculpture, measuring 28.5 cm in height, offers a glimpse into the creative process of the prominent Italian sculptor.