"William Wirt" Figurehead c. 1938

Molly Bodenstein made this drawing of the "William Wirt" Figurehead, in an indeterminate year, using gouache and graphite on paper. The first thing I notice is the creamy, muted palette; it’s all very tasteful, if a little somber. Looking closely, there's a delicate push and pull between detail and flatness. Bodenstein renders the sculpture with precision, capturing the texture and form with subtle gradations of tone. This is particularly evident in the way the light plays across Wirt's face. But then, the background remains a flat, undifferentiated plane. It's as if the sculpture is emerging from a void. There's something very satisfying about the way Bodenstein uses the gouache, layering the paint to create a sense of depth, but also leaving visible brushstrokes, reminding us that this is, after all, a handmade object. I'm reminded of the work of Fairfield Porter, particularly his portraits, in the way that both artists manage to capture the essence of their subjects.