Carol Janeway Bust 1943

Ossip Zadkine created this bronze bust of Carol Janeway sometime in the mid-20th century. Zadkine was part of the Cubist movement, taking its geometrical forms and applying them to sculpture. Here, the planes of Janeway's face and body are simplified, yet the overall effect is not abstract. The curves of the body are clearly defined. Consider how the rough texture contrasts with the smooth planes, which is a hallmark of Zadkine's distinctive style. The artwork reflects on the social structures of its time. The artwork is self-consciously progressive and critiques the institutions of art. Art historians can help us understand this work by researching the history of Cubism, the career of Zadkine, and the tastes of patrons like Janeway. Each of these areas of knowledge helps us to situate the artwork within its cultural and institutional context.