Madame Jeanne-Mathilde Claude 1887

This bronze artwork, "Madame Jeanne-Mathilde Claude" was created in 1887 by Jules-Clément Chaplain. The circular form and the use of bronze lend the work a classical feel, reminiscent of ancient Roman portraiture. The profile of Madame Claude is rendered with a sharp, precise line, capturing her likeness with an objective clarity. Chaplain’s choice of the profile view, combined with the circular composition, flattens the image, reducing depth and focusing our attention on the formal qualities of line and shape. The inscription of her name around the edge integrates text and image, embedding her identity within the artwork’s structure. The texture of the bronze, smooth in some areas and intricately detailed in others, creates a tactile dimension. The medal, with its emphasis on form and surface, functions as a symbolic representation of identity and status. The artwork offers a glimpse into the cultural values of late 19th-century France, where portraiture served to commemorate and immortalize its subjects.