Zittende vrouwenfiguur c. 1828 - 1905

Eugène Lacomblé modeled this terracotta sculpture of a seated woman sometime in the 19th century. While terracotta is a traditional material, prized for its workability and earthy warmth, it's important to remember it is essentially industrial. After all, bricks and roof tiles are also made of fired clay. Here, the artist has taken full advantage of terracotta's capacity for detail, seen in the drapery, the woman’s hair, and her serene expression. But the material’s inherent qualities also lend the work a feeling of weightiness and groundedness, enhanced by its muted color. Consider the labor involved: from digging the clay, processing it to remove impurities, expertly shaping the figure, and firing it in a kiln. Lacomblé engaged with long histories of ceramic skill, shared between craft and fine art. The connection to architectural construction reminds us that all art is deeply embedded in the world of labor, politics, and consumption. Seeing this piece in that light helps us see the broader cultural significance of the artwork.