The Prophet Balaam 1575 - 1577

Tommaso Porlezza della Porta modeled The Prophet Balaam in terracotta, a familiar and malleable material used in early modern sculpture. Terracotta, meaning "baked earth" in Italian, has a somewhat paradoxical quality, capable of great detail, yet humble in origin. The artist expertly renders the prophet’s muscular physique and melancholic expression. Note the way the drapery falls, creating deep folds that catch the light. The surface has a tactile quality, retaining traces of the artist’s hand. In the Renaissance workshop, terracotta was often used for preparatory models or studies, allowing artists to experiment with form and composition before embarking on more costly and time-consuming materials like marble or bronze. But it was also prized as a medium in its own right, and by the 16th century, terracotta sculptures were collected and displayed as independent works of art. Considering this history, it challenges our traditional hierarchy that places ‘fine art’ on a higher plane than ‘craft’. Terracotta stands as a testament to the enduring appeal and expressive potential of a common material transformed by a skilled hand.