Many of the sculptures shown here are small clay models for larger works in other materials such as marble. Sculptors used their hands to mold the soft clay into the desired shape and special tools to create the details. The model was fired in a kiln to harden and preserve it- terracotta literally means “baked earth”. Several of the examples on view were made rapidly to capture an idea or to work out a composition. Full of spontaneous energy, these loose sketches record fleeting moments in the creative process, often showing fingerprints and other traces of the artist’s handling of the clay. Sculptors might produce more finished models to present to patrons before committing their vision to stone or metal.