Portræt af Mademoiselle W. 1922 - 1923

Editor: Right, next up we have "Portræt af Mademoiselle W.," a bronze sculpture by Charles Despiau, created between 1922 and 1923. Looking at it, I'm struck by the serene, almost melancholic expression. The light catches the bronze in such a way that it seems like her skin is glowing. What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: Ah, Mademoiselle W., she always seemed to hold secrets! The brilliance of Despiau lies in his capacity to seize not just a likeness, but a palpable mood, doesn't it? The way he’s worked the bronze; there’s a sensitivity there, a tangible humanness. It's Realism, but something more, a whisper of soul, you might say. Notice how her gaze avoids you; I see a hint of something vulnerable lurking there... Does that strike you too? Editor: I definitely get that sense of vulnerability. The way her head is tilted slightly downwards, and those barely-there details in her eyes really contribute to it. But vulnerability wasn't exactly a popular sentiment to express at the time... I wonder why? Curator: A fabulous point! Remember this piece was forged in the aftermath of the Great War – a world convulsed. There was certainly space carved out, or perhaps a desperate need, for something that ran deeper than the bombast, and Despiau absolutely delivered it. Consider Rodin – Despiau worked as his assistant and, while he followed Rodin in the process of modelling from life, Despiau often avoided a textured surface and aimed for greater simplicity. Doesn't it seem fitting to have such profound introspection, forged from bronze, rising from such destruction? Editor: It really puts the sculpture into a new perspective. Thanks for your insight; it makes the work far more poignant and thought-provoking than I originally anticipated. Curator: The pleasure is all mine! I'm glad to have had a peek beneath her serene exterior with you!