Selvportræt 1901

This is August Saabye's 'Self-Portrait,' a plaster bust at the SMK, standing 75.4 centimeters in height. The stark whiteness of the plaster immediately catches the eye, focusing our attention on the form itself. The artist's face, framed by a neatly trimmed beard, conveys a sense of serenity and perhaps even a hint of stoicism. Saabye’s approach reflects a classical tradition, where form and structure communicate meaning. The symmetrical composition and clean lines speak to a desire for order and balance, typical of the neo-classical style. The gaze, directed slightly off-center, invites contemplation and self-reflection. The choice of plaster as a medium is significant. Its malleability allows for detailed rendering of Saabye's features, while its monochromatic nature reduces the artwork to its essential forms. In doing so, the artwork encourages us to consider not just the likeness of the artist, but the very nature of representation and the relationship between form and identity.