Geloof 1775

This sculpture, titled "Geloof," was created by Willem Hendrik van der Wall in the 18th century, and it is made of terracotta. Terracotta, meaning "baked earth" in Italian, is a humble material, yet in the hands of a skilled sculptor like van der Wall, it can achieve great expressiveness. You can see how he has shaped the clay to create a sense of flowing drapery, and the figure's thoughtful expression. The soft, porous nature of terracotta allows for fine details, while also giving the sculpture a warmth and immediacy that other materials might lack. Consider the skilled labor involved in creating this piece. The artist had to carefully model the clay, let it dry slowly to prevent cracking, and then fire it in a kiln at high temperatures. This transformation, from pliable earth to durable sculpture, speaks to the transformative power of human craft. Looking closely, we can appreciate the way Van der Wall elevated this everyday material to create a lasting statement. The sculpture reminds us that artistic expression can be found in the most unexpected places.