Self-Portrait 1902

Alexandre-Louis-Marie Charpentier made this self-portrait relief in plaster, sometime in the late 19th century. Look at how the plaster is built up, stroke by stroke, to create a surprisingly lively surface! The way the artist handled this usually stiff material to create texture is so compelling. He applied plaster, carving and scraping to build up the forms, creating a play of light and shadow that animates the face. See how the light catches the ridge of his brow and the tip of his nose, drawing your eye across the profile? I keep wondering if he was looking in a mirror as he worked, or if he was sculpting from memory. The artist has captured a likeness, but also a sense of his own presence, his energy. It reminds me a little of Medardo Rosso, an Italian sculptor who worked with wax to capture fleeting moments. Both artists seem interested in the way that material can be used to evoke a sense of movement and change. Ultimately, it's not about perfection, but about capturing the essence of a moment.