La Source 1864

Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse made 'La Source' in the 19th century using terracotta. Terracotta, meaning "baked earth" in Italian, is a humble material. Carrier-Belleuse elevated this clay to create a sculpture that imitates the smooth, idealized forms of marble, typically associated with high art. Notice the pale color, the soft gradations of light and shadow across the figure's skin. The clay's original plasticity allowed the artist to achieve these naturalistic details. But terracotta also allowed for multiples. Carrier-Belleuse was a master of this duality. He worked at a time when industrial production methods were transforming artistic practice. This sculpture could be reproduced, bringing art to a wider audience, and creating a different type of art market. By understanding the material and its potential for reproduction, we can appreciate how Carrier-Belleuse blurred the boundaries between fine art and craft. In doing so, he responded to the changing social and economic context of his time.