A Terra Cotta Statue of Eros 250 BC

This terracotta statue of Eros was created by an Ancient Greek artist using a process that dates back to the earliest civilizations. The artist would have started with raw clay, carefully manipulating it to form the figure, imbuing it with life. Terracotta, meaning ‘baked earth’ in Italian, is one of the oldest and most accessible materials. Its appeal lies in its abundance and workability, yet it is also fragile, as evidenced by the statue's fragmented state. The painted wings, remnants of a vibrant past, hint at the statue's original beauty. The fact that the statue has survived at all speaks to the enduring power of art. Consider the labor involved in extracting, preparing, molding, firing, and painting the clay. These processes would have been both physically demanding and highly skilled. The finished piece would have been considered a precious object, a testament to human creativity. Appreciating the material and making of this Eros statue enhances our understanding and helps to break down any perceived barriers between craft and art.