Large terracotta female figure by Oskar Gladenbeck

Large terracotta female figure by Oskar Gladenbeck
German, c.1900
Height 80cm
 
This elegant terracotta figure, roughly half life-size is fine piece of orientalising sculpture. It was made by Oskar Gladenbeck, son of Gladenbeck Hermann, head of one of the most important German foundries around the turn of the 20th century. It depicts a young South Asian maiden dressed in a beautiful flowing green dress as she looks out into the distance, pausing for a moment from her water carrying duties. She rests her on the urn, and struts her hips out in a decidedly sensual manner. Her rich dark hair painted black, is adorned with items of golden-painted jewellery, trails down her back, and the folds in the green garment accentuate her feminine curves and are decorated around the base by  colourful bands with oriental paints. The figure stands upon a small circular base. The artist has succeeded in creating a wonderfully life-like figure in the medium of painted terracotta.
 
Artist/Maker: Oskar Gladenbeck