Henry VII 1885 - 1899

Here stands Henry VII, a terracotta sculpture by Pietro Torrigiano, residing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The bust commands attention through its palpable realism, achieved via meticulous modelling of form and texture. The king's expression is captured with an acute sensitivity to detail. The sharp linear qualities of his brow and cheekbones contrast with the softness of his eyes and mouth, evoking both the strength and the vulnerability of the sovereign. The textural contrast between the smooth skin and the elaborate, heavy fabric of his attire, invites touch and closer inspection. Torrigiano masterfully employs terracotta to convey the rich and complex character of Henry VII, reflecting the Renaissance preoccupation with humanism and the desire to capture individual likeness. The sculpture functions as both a historical document and a powerful aesthetic object. It invites us to consider the interplay between materiality and meaning, and how form is used to convey power and presence.