Bishop Saint 1685 - 1715

This is Pierre Legros the Younger’s terracotta sculpture of a Bishop Saint. The artist has created this sculpture using additive and subtractive methods. This involved building up the form with coils and slabs of clay, then carving into the material to reveal the final shape. The sculpture shows the versatility of terracotta, and how the material can reflect a range of textures through the manipulation of tools and techniques: from the smooth surfaces of the bishop's face to the more roughly textured drapery, and even the intricate details of his vestments. The natural color and matte finish of the terracotta add a sense of earthy realism to the figure. The soft clay could also render details with an immediacy that other materials like marble don’t allow. The Bishop Saint could be perceived through the lenses of labor, class, and status, reflecting the socio-economic context of the time when it was produced, and the role of skilled craftsmen like Legros in creating objects of devotion and prestige for the church.