William A. Clark 1925

Bryant Baker made this marble sculpture, William A. Clark, sometime in the 20th century. Look how the whole thing, from the base to the top of his head, feels like it's been smoothed and buffed to perfection. It’s all about this super clean surface, where the hand of the artist feels totally gone, almost like it just appeared out of nowhere. But then, check out the details – especially the beard. See how Baker lets it get all rough and textured? The way the light catches on those little bits makes it feel so alive, like it's got its own energy, almost vibrating! It’s such a subtle contrast, but it makes the whole piece sing. That kind of detail reminds me of Rodin, who was also great at capturing the play of light on the surface of things. But, where Rodin loves to leave the marks of his making, Baker seems to be trying to hide them, giving us this weird mix of polish and roughness. And, isn't that what art is all about? It’s a conversation, not just about the subject, but also about how we see and feel.