Dovizia c. 1520

Giovanni della Robbia crafted this glazed terracotta sculpture, Dovizia, sometime in the late 15th or early 16th century. The lustrous surface of the sculpture presents a captivating interplay of form and symbolism. The figure of Dovizia, embodying abundance, is draped in a rich blue robe, complemented by accents of yellow that highlight the folds and contours of her garment. The composition is structured around the vertical axis of the figure, yet it’s softened by the curves of the fruit basket she balances on her head. The use of color is strategic, drawing the eye upwards from the inscription at the base to the vibrant arrangement of fruits above. The sculpture engages with humanist ideals of wealth and prosperity. It presents a vision of abundance that aligns with the period's fascination with classical virtues and earthly pleasures. The tactile quality of the terracotta, combined with the glazing, creates a sensory experience that invites contemplation on the nature of materiality and representation. The sculpture challenges fixed meanings of wealth by embodying it in a form that is both idealized and grounded in the material world.