Enver 1925

Editor: This is Jacob Epstein's sculpture, "Enver," at the Harvard Art Museums. The way the light catches the rough texture gives it such a strong presence. What do you make of Epstein’s choices in modeling the face? Curator: Note the asymmetry – the subtle droop of the left eye, the slight twist of the lips. These deviations from perfect symmetry animate the surface, directing our attention to the artist’s hand and the plasticity of the medium. Editor: So, it's less about capturing a perfect likeness, and more about emphasizing the artistic process? Curator: Precisely. The work transcends mere representation; it is an exploration of form and the artist's manipulation of material to evoke presence. Editor: That's fascinating, I hadn’t considered that before. Curator: Paying attention to the forms can reveal many layers.