Description
French sculptor Claude Michel, called Clodion, frequently depicts children in his sculpture, in this case a convincing toddler, from her pout to her plump toes. The piece is constructed in terracotta, a common medium for Clodion. After firing, the unglazed color of the clay can vary widely; each of Clodion's statues has a slightly different hue. The figure has sustained a number of damages, but has recently been cleaned and repaired.
Provenance
Possibly Eugène Tondu (Paris, France) (sold, Paris, April 3, 1865, lot. no. 206); Sir Thomas Gibson Carmichael, Bart., Castle Craig, Scotland, sold at Christie, Manson and Woods (-1902); (Sale: Christie, Manson and Woods, London, England, May 12-13, 1902, lot no. 257, to Durlacher Brothers) (May 12-13, 1902); (Durlacher Brothers, New York, NY) (1902-); J. Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913), New York, New York; Elisabeth Severance Prentiss [Mrs. Francis Fleury Prentiss] (1865–1944), Cleveland, OH, upon her death, held in trust by the estate (-1944); Estate of Elisabeth Severance Prentiss, by bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art (-1944); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1944-)
Accession Number
1944.131
Medium
terracotta
Dimensions
Overall: 42.2 x 12.8 x 15.3 cm (16 5/8 x 5 1/16 x 6 in.); without base: 35.3 cm (13 7/8 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Credit Line
The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Collection
