Zittende vrouwenfiguur met enkele bloemen in de linkerhand c. 1800 - 1900

This is a terracotta sculpture of a seated woman, made by Eugène Lacomblé in the late 19th century. The artist has chosen a humble material here: terracotta, or baked earth. It has a directness, born of the earth, and a warmth of color. You can see the way Lacomblé has worked the clay with his hands. The surface has a lively, flickering quality. The woman sits on a roughly modeled rock, clasping a few flowers in her left hand. Her simple garment and downcast gaze give her a contemplative air. Terracotta has always been associated with immediacy and direct expression. Think of ancient figurines, or the preliminary models made by Renaissance sculptors. The medium allows for a kind of rough-and-ready handling, which other, more refined materials don't invite. This sculpture reminds us that art is not just about the finished product, but also about the act of making, with all the imperfections and happy accidents that come along with it.