Man 1750 - 1799

Sometime in the 1700s, Lorenzo Mosca modeled this figure of a man in terracotta, and then painted it. Terracotta means ‘baked earth’ in Italian, and Mosca has certainly made the most of his material. It has a satisfying heft, yet allows for an incredible amount of surface detail. Look closely at the face, with its wry expression and weary eyes. Or the clothing, so carefully rendered. Notice how the artist wasn't afraid to depict this man with a degree of realism that verges on caricature. Figures like these were often made in series, to populate elaborate Nativity scenes for wealthy patrons. That context is important. Mosca was a highly skilled artist, attuned to the values of his clientele. By rendering such detail, he elevated terracotta from a humble material to something precious. It's a reminder that what we call ‘craft’ and ‘fine art’ are always in conversation.