Iron-plaque of Helmuth Von Moltke the Elder 1908

This iron plaque of Helmuth Von Moltke the Elder was made by Ludwig Manzel. It’s fascinating how Manzel coaxes form out of such a rigid material. The limited palette, almost monochromatic, throws all the emphasis onto the surface and the way light plays across it. I'm drawn to the way the face is modeled; there's a subtle tension between the sharply defined features and the softer, more diffused areas, particularly around the eyes. You can imagine the artist slowly building up the form, responding to the material, allowing the process to guide the final image. In some ways, this piece reminds me of the work of Medardo Rosso, who also pushed the boundaries of sculpture. In both artists, the process is palpable, a record of the artist’s hand. Of course, art isn’t about answers. It is about posing interesting questions.