The sculpture “La Manzoniana” by Cleto Tomba, created in 1928, represents a particularly lively example of his production in polychrome terracotta, a technique that the Bolognese artist used with original results within the Italian art scene of the early 20th century. Trained in the academic environment of Bologna, Tomba developed an independent language characterized by a marked narrative inclination and a strong sensitivity to the expressive rendering of his characters.
In this work, the reference to the world of Manzoni is translated into a choral scene, animated by a sequence of figures captured in motion. The characters, arranged in a row and linked to one another by an almost theatrical rhythm, seem to take part in a popular performance, where gesture and attitude assume a central role. The accentuated postures and strongly characterized faces reveal a taste for characterization that at times approaches caricature, without however losing formal coherence.
Furthermore, the choice of polychrome terracotta allows Tomba to emphasize details and contrasts, helping to make the composition more immediate and legible. The colour, applied with restraint, is not purely decorative, but reinforces the sculptural construction of the figures.
On the other hand, the work belongs to a historical moment in which Italian sculpture rediscovered traditional materials and techniques, reinterpreting them in a modern key. Overall, “La Manzoniana” highlights the artist’s ability to combine narrative, dynamism and formal synthesis, offering a compact yet richly observed scene of the human and collective dimension.
Description: Polychrome terracotta on a marble base, signed at the base ‘Tomba 928’, 1928, figures H 12x37x11 cm.
Hammer Price: € 8.241,00
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