Study Models of Parts of the Body c. 1560 - 1570

This is a terracotta study model of a body part, made by Johan Gregor van der Schardt in the late 16th century. The clay's earthy tone and roughly textured surface, marked with the artist’s fingerprints, bring us closer to van der Schardt's process. You can imagine him carefully building up the form, perhaps using simple tools to refine the shape and add details like the miniature face. The intimate scale suggests that this wasn't intended as a finished artwork, but rather a preparatory study. Sculptors like van der Schardt relied on these models to work out the anatomy and composition of larger works, often in bronze or marble. Terracotta, being inexpensive and easily molded, allowed the artist to experiment freely. By valuing this humble material and the process of modeling, we can appreciate the artistry embedded in the everyday practices of the Renaissance workshop.