Female Half-Length Figure 1910 - 1914

This half-length figure of a female was made by Henri Doucet in the early 20th century. Looking at it now, I imagine the artist’s hands shaping and carving away at this block, coaxing out a human form. I really like the way Doucet's made it rough, like he’s wrestling with the material—so different from those super smooth classical sculptures! You can see the marks and nicks left on the surface, adding to the immediacy of the sculpture. It feels like you’re witnessing the act of creation itself. And the face! There's so much emotion captured in the eyes and mouth, which is quite a feat considering it's all just stone. I see her echoing the work of sculptors like Rodin, who were also breaking away from tradition and trying to capture something more raw and real. It makes you wonder what kind of conversations these artists were having with one another, pushing each other to explore new ways of seeing and feeling. Ultimately, sculpture is about touch, so it’s interesting that we get to experience this piece through our sight instead!