Fidelity, the Mother of Constant Love 1799

Augustin Pajou made this terracotta sculpture, Fidelity, the Mother of Constant Love, sometime in the 18th century. Note the warm, earthy color of the terracotta. This wasn't just a practical choice for Pajou; it was a deliberate aesthetic one. Terracotta, or baked earth, is a humble material, yet it allowed Pajou to achieve remarkable detail. You can see the texture of the woman’s hair, the soft folds of her drapery, and the playful energy of the child and the dog. Think about the artist carefully building up the form, modeling the clay with his hands and tools. The appeal of terracotta also has to do with its directness. You feel the artist's touch in every undulation. Although Pajou was celebrated for his marble sculptures, terracotta allowed him a freedom and intimacy not possible in more expensive materials. In its immediacy, it transcends the traditional hierarchies of art, reminding us that profound expression can be found in the simplest of means.