Bust of a man
ca. 1790–95
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
Overall (confirmed): 17 1/4 × 11 1/2 × 9 1/2 in. (43.8 × 29.2 × 24.1 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
French, Lyon
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1919
Accession Number
19.29
Tags
Art Historical Context
This striking terracotta bust of a, crafted by French sculptor Joseph Chinard around 1790–95, captures the intensity of late 18th-century portraiture from Lyon. Measuring 17¼ × 11½ × 9½ inches, it exemplifies Chinard's skill in modeling the human form with neoclassical—sharp features, textured hair, and a direct gaze that convey both dignity and realism. Terracotta, a fired clay medium prized for its warm, earthy tones and malleability, was ideal for sculptors like Chinard to create lively preliminary models or affordable finished works, bridging classical antiquity with revolutionary fervor. ...