Jean-Claude Fulchiron c. 1832 - 1930

Honoré Daumier created this bronze sculpture, Jean-Claude Fulchiron, which captures the essence of a man through rough, expressive modelling. The sculpture's surface is a play of light and shadow, achieved through Daumier's intentional manipulation of the material. The face is dominated by heavy eyelids and a down-turned mouth, creating a sense of introspection. Daumier was deeply interested in physiognomy, the idea that one's character is visible through their physical appearance. Yet, this work transcends simple representation. The exaggerated features and the almost caricatured rendering serve to amplify a sense of the man's inner world. The form of the head seems to emerge organically from the roughly hewn base, suggesting an incompleteness and a dynamic tension between the figure and the material. In his hands, the bronze is not just a medium but an active participant in creating meaning. The sculpture invites us to contemplate the relationship between external appearance and internal reality.