Known as "The Book Cover", enlargement of a plaquette-medal for the Societé des Amis des Livres 1802 - 1902

Alexandre-Louis-Marie Charpentier created this enlargement of a plaquette-medal for the Societé des Amis des Livres. The monochromatic bronze relief presents a seated woman in profile, deeply absorbed in a book. Observe how Charpentier models light and shadow to create depth. The texture of the metal surface enhances the contrast, giving shape to the woman’s form and the smooth pages of the book. Her focused gaze and the curve of her arm holding the book emphasize a moment of contemplation. The composition, with its simple geometric lines and restrained detail, functions to keep the viewer focused on the act of reading itself. The relief's structure can be interpreted as a semiotic system, with the book acting as a signifier for knowledge and reflection. Charpentier’s formal choices invite us to consider the artwork as more than a mere depiction but as a symbolic representation of intellectual engagement. The piece embodies a deeper cultural value placed on literature and learning.