Terracotta Sculpture
The art of shaping and baking clay to create three-dimensional figures.
What is it?
Terracotta sculpture is made by molding wet clay into a shape, then firing it in a kiln to harden it. Artists can add details by carving into the clay before firing. Sometimes the finished sculpture is painted or glazed. This bust of a Roman emperor was made using this technique. The child's reflection describes it as a terracotta bust, meaning it is made of baked clay.
Why it matters
Terracotta sculpture is one of the oldest art techniques. It allows artists to create durable works without expensive materials like bronze or marble.
Where you've seen it
This list grows as you capture more objects made with terracotta sculpture.