The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston has recently acquired a rare terracotta sculpture by the French artist René Falguière, a piece previously offered by the contemporary art curator Nicolas Bourriaud. The sculpture, created in 1859, is an unpublished work from the early stage of Falguière's career, offering new insight into the development of the Toulousian sculptor’s style. This acquisition complements the museum’s existing collection, which includes a bronze sculpture of Diana, widely regarded as Falguière's most celebrated work in the United States. Falguière was a prominent 19th-century French sculptor known for his classical themes and mastery of various materials, including marble, bronze, and terracotta. His works are found in several major museums across the United States, with approximately fifteen versions of his sculptures distributed among institutions in cities such as Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Detroit, Dallas, and Portland. However, sculptures made of marble and terracotta by Falguière are significantly rarer than those in bronze, according to an online database that catalogues his oeuvre. The Houston acquisition highlights the museum’s ongoing efforts to expand its collection of 19th-century European art. The newly acquired terracotta sculpture adds to the museum’s growing reputation as a significant custodian of Falguière's work in North America. Experts note that such acquisitions are rare due to the limited number of surviving pieces and the high demand among collectors and institutions. The addition of this sculpture also underscores the importance of terracotta in Falguière's artistic practice. While he is best known for his bronze works, his terracotta sculptures are considered some of his most delicate and expressive. The Houston piece is expected to become a key exhibit in the museum’s upcoming renovation of its European art galleries, offering visitors a chance to see a rare example of Falguière's early work in person.