The Artist to His Friends, 1890 1890

"The Artist to His Friends" is a bronze plaquette by French sculptor Louis-Oscar Roty. The artwork, created in 1890, depicts a young woman seated in a natural setting, thoughtfully reading a book. The inscription, "In Labore Omnes" (In work, everyone), suggests that the artist is dedicated to his craft and encourages his friends to join him in this pursuit. The plaquette, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a fine example of Roty's masterful use of detail and expressive realism.