Bust of a Roman matron (one of a pair) 16th century

This is a glazed terracotta bust of a Roman matron, crafted by della Robbia around the late 15th or early 16th century. The circular form, approximately 23 inches in diameter, immediately suggests wholeness and containment. A classical profile of the matron in the center is framed by the circular boundary. Two smaller medallions punctuate the upper left and right quadrants of the inner circle, each containing their own profile. The artist’s masterful handling of terracotta is evident in the smooth, almost porcelain-like finish. The bust’s symmetry is striking, yet it's subtly disrupted by the fall of the matron’s locks. The composition creates a dialogue between classical ideals of beauty and humanist approaches to representation, which gained prominence during the Renaissance. The circular frame is more than a border, it's a device that invites us to reflect on the nature of portraiture and the ways in which we construct and frame identities. It challenges fixed meanings and engages with new ways of thinking about space, perception, power and representation. It's an invitation to ongoing interpretation and re-interpretation.