Augustus the Strong 1708 - 1718

This is a terracotta sculpture of Augustus the Strong, created around 1710 by the Meissen Manufactory. Notice the earthy, singular tone of the terracotta that envelops the sculpture. It encourages a focus on the form and texture. Augustus's figure is draped in elaborate garments and armor, yet the choice of material softens the display of power. The artist's decision to mold Augustus in terracotta, a medium often associated with preparatory sketches, raises questions about the nature of representation and the monumentalization of rulers. The structure and composition challenge fixed meanings. Augustus is presented not in the cold, unyielding permanence of marble or bronze, but in a medium that suggests malleability and process. Terracotta's inherent qualities invite us to consider the impermanence of power and the constructed nature of identity. Is it a study, a statement or something in-between? The artwork exists in a state of becoming, inviting ongoing interpretation and re-interpretation.