Human head 1923

Ossip Zadkine made this "Human Head" sculpture, and it’s a really interesting exercise in subtraction. I mean, look how Zadkine carved away at the bronze to create this face. It's like he’s simplifying what it means to see a human. I'm drawn to the lips, how they seem both soft and strong, suggesting a quiet strength. The texture is important here, right? It's got this rough, almost weathered surface, like it’s been touched by time. The dark patinas pool in the crevices, making the forms pop, but also adding a sense of depth and mystery. It reminds me of Picasso, who was also obsessed with reducing figures to their essence. Zadkine really invites us to think about what makes us human, how we see ourselves and others, and how much we can strip away before we lose the core of who we are.