The figurine maker (1st version) 1888

Gerolamo Induno painted "The Figurine Maker" using oil on canvas. The artist directs our attention to a small workshop, filled with tools, objects, and figurines. The heart of this composition is the work table covered in the paraphernalia of craft. The artist makes visible the labor involved in the production of these decorative objects, giving us a glimpse into the figurine maker's process. We can see how the artist values the work of the figurine maker, which in some ways mirrors his own as a painter. In doing so, Induno challenges the traditional hierarchies of art and craft. The painting encourages us to reflect on the ways in which these figurines, made through skilled handwork, reflect the social and cultural values of the time.