Cypriot Terracotta Figure in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2010

Title: Terracotta figure

Medium; Technique: Terracotta; hand-made

Culture: Cypriot

Period: Cypro-Archaic II

Date: ca. 600–480 B.C.

Dimensions: H. 4 1/16 in. (10.3 cm)

Classification: Terracottas

Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76

Accession Number: 74.51.1640


Description:

Man or monkey? The distinction is minimal in this spontaneous, engaging work. Seated with one foot over the other, the figure is eating or smelling what is probably a piece of fruit. Although Cypriot terracottas are often summarily executed, they clearly represent a medium that was used to capture a momentary or unusual subject, just as today we might make a snapshot or rapid sketch.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/collection_database/greek_...