Terracotta
A type of clay that is baked in a kiln to make sculptures, pots, and tiles.
What is it?
Terracotta means "baked earth" in Italian. It is a natural clay that turns reddish-brown when fired. Artists use it to make sculptures, pottery, and building materials. Terracotta is cheaper than bronze or marble, so artists often used it for models or less expensive works. Sometimes they painted it to look like more expensive materials. The bust of an unknown Roman emperor is made of terracotta and was originally painted to imitate bronze.
Why it matters
Terracotta has been used for thousands of years by many cultures, from ancient Greek figurines to Renaissance busts. It is an important material in art history.
Where you've seen it
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