Massa, Male Nude, 20th Century, Terracotta

Details

Description

MEASUREMENTS:
Height: 21 cm; Width: 18 cm; Depth: 16.5 cm; Weight: 2.618 kg

Item :
Anthropomorphic terracotta sculpture, entirely modeled … Read more MEASUREMENTS:
Height: 21 cm; Width: 18 cm; Depth: 16.5 cm; Weight: 2.618 kg

Item :
Anthropomorphic terracotta sculpture, entirely modeled freehand and signed on the base by master sculptor "Massa." Unfortunately, we were unable to find any further information about the artist. The work depicts a male nude captured in a crouching pose, characterized by exaggerated volumes that rigorously fit into the canons of Primitivism and Brutalist Expressionism of the late twentieth century. The artist deliberately eschews proportional realism to pursue a powerful and geometric sculptural synthesis where the muscular blocks of the pectorals, the prominent abdomen, and the contracted muscles of the trapezius muscles develop into massive volumes that culminate in a hieratic face, proudly turned in profile, captured in a stern expression that evokes a titanic effort. from a technical standpoint, the surface is distinguished by a rough, highly textured finish, characterized by dense dark speckles and an ochre patina that mimics the texture of tuff or ancient stone. An examination of the inverted lower base reveals extensive internal hollowing, performed manually while the object is still raw, a crucial structural measure to lighten the mass and ensure even high-fire firing.

Useful information for evaluating this object:
The market for studio terracotta sculptures dedicated to the human figure enjoys strong interest among modern art collectors. To put this segment into perspective, terracotta and stoneware works by the great Italian masters of the 20th century (such as Martini or Fabbri, who often created hand-molded terracotta sculptures) fetch prices between €3,000 and €15,000 at international auctions. Our sculpture is priced lower than those of these great names, as there are currently no documented historical sources on the artist "Massa." Despite this, the work stands out for its excellent intrinsic qualities, such as the powerful plastic force of the modeling and the rich surface finish. For these reasons, we estimate the sculpture's market value at between €500 and €700. The expressiveness of the face, the textured surface, the impressive specific weight of 2.6 kg, and the excellent state of preservation justify placing our sculpture at the higher end of the estimate, confirming it as a valuable one-of-a-kind gallery piece.

Information on the artist and/or manufacturer:
The artist's monogram "Massa" is part of that fertile landscape of independent sculptors and potter's workshops who, starting in the 1960s, have embraced clay and ceramic as means of pure and definitive plastic expression, freeing them from the subsidiary role of preparatory sketches. This stylistic approach engaged closely with currents of international Brutalism, in which energetic manipulation of materials and exaggerated volumes were employed to explore the ancestral strength and psychological tensions of humankind. The workshops where these unique creations took shape were isolated art studios or small ateliers located within Italy's ceramic districts, where research into oxide patinas and high-temperature firings yielded opaque, porous surfaces of extraordinary tactile and visual appeal. Today, the critical rediscovery of Studio Pottery and late-20th-century clay sculpture is widely documented by the collectible design market and thematic exhibitions, where these works are particularly sought after for their ability to catalyze and define the surrounding architectural space. This piece has an attribution mark,
I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less