Model for a bracelet 1889

Louis-Oscar Roty designed this model for a bracelet out of plaster, at an unknown date, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The frieze-like composition, contained within the narrow band, presents a series of figures in bas-relief, which invites a sequential reading across the surface. The linear arrangement and shallow depth emphasize the contours of the figures, where the smooth plaster catches the light, lending a sense of classical antiquity. The scenes evoke allegorical narratives of childhood, maturity, and love. The artist contrasts the dynamism of the figures with the static quality of the medium. The figures transition across the frame in stages of life and activity. Roty’s choice of plaster allows for the play of light and shadow to define the forms, while the frieze’s horizontal orientation encourages a linear interpretation of its narrative. This creates a harmonious balance between form and content, reflecting broader themes of time, relationships, and human development, inviting the viewer to contemplate the beauty in life’s unfolding narrative.