Standing figure 200 - 700

This standing figure was made in Michoacan using terracotta. The artist formed the clay using the technique of modelling: carefully building up and shaping the figure by hand. The material itself has a direct impact on the figure's appearance. The terracotta gives the sculpture an earthy tone, and the inherent qualities of the clay allow for fine details in the face and limbs. Terracotta objects like this were often made using molds, allowing for a certain amount of mass production. The method of firing the clay, likely in an open pit, may have been a collective effort, embedding this artwork in a wider social context. Looking at the material and the making of the figure allows us to understand the significance of this artwork, challenging distinctions between art and craft.