Bust of Caroline, Queen of England 1738

This is a terracotta bust of Caroline, Queen of England, made by John Michael Rysbrack. Terracotta, meaning ‘baked earth’ in Italian, is a humble material. A mixture of clay and water, shaped, and then fired in a kiln. It is a world away from the precious marble favored by sculptors of the elite, which made the choice of it quite radical. The muted tones and matte surface of the terracotta bring a sense of immediacy to the Queen's image, as though we are meeting her in person. Look closely, and you’ll see the traces of Rysbrack’s process: the careful modelling of her features, the sharp lines that define her royal regalia, and the soft drapery that suggests her status. Rysbrack was undoubtedly a highly skilled artist, but terracotta was considered a craft material. By embracing it, he created an intimacy with his royal subject. It challenges the traditional hierarchy between the fine and decorative arts.