Kgl. skuespiller Emil Poulsen 1880

This is a plaster bust of Kgl. skuespiller Emil Poulsen, created by Louis Hasselriis. The cool grey tones and textured materiality invite a close observation of its form and expression. Hasselriis has masterfully used the plasticity of plaster to capture the texture and detail of Poulsen’s features and attire. The artist pays particular attention to the nuances of Poulsen's face and clothing, using this semiotic system of dress to communicate his status. The details—the contours of his face, the set of his mouth, the arrangement of his jacket and cravat—converge to project an image of respectability and artistic sensibility. The gaze is direct, the face serene. Consider how Hasselriis has shaped the plaster to explore the relation between representation and perception. This exploration of form reflects broader concerns about how we construct meaning through art, inviting us to contemplate not just who Poulsen was, but how the artist chose to represent him.