Bust of a Man Francis Harwood British, 1758 27 1/2 x 19 3/4 x 10 1/2 inches
With experience copying classical antique sculptures in Florence, Francis Harwood created this exceptional sculpture which combined the elements of classical sculpture with the subject of a more modern (1700s) Black individual – a subject we do not frequently have the privilege of seeing.
In fact, this noble bust by Francis Harwood is one of the earliest known sculptures of an African by a western European artist since antiquity. There is some speculation that it could be representing Memnon, king of the Ethiopians in Greek mythology, but no one seems to be certain. Although the sitter is unknown, details like the scar on his face, the small ears, and the bags and creases under his eyes suggest that this is a portrait of a specific individual. The specificity and personality of this man distinguishes this sculpture from the decorative and generalized busts of Africans in exotic costumes that were commonly produced in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
value range adjusted from original photo to show more detail
Model and Chair by Ruthie V. 10×8″ drypoint on grey BFK What a great day! Nikki and I hung out in the studio and made drypoint prints. The image above was my favorite of the day. It was scratched into plexiglass using 220 grit sandpaper and a diamond tipped scribe, then printed on grey BFK. I …
I liked the form of the model’s body within the fabric. The pose reminded me of classical sculptures, extraneous arms removed. This is one of the first prints I made with drypoint, for this series. I was surprised and thrilled to see what the lovely pattern on the flowered rug looked like after printing. Ink makes …
You are invited to participate in an exquisite corpse style animal block printing project. Brian Lane of Print Zero Studios is collaborating with artists Peter Foucault and Chris Treggiari for a series of printing events at the Getty Museum in LA this July and August. The project is responding to their current exhibition “Book of Beasts: …
Bust of a Man
Francis Harwood
British, 1758
27 1/2 x 19 3/4 x 10 1/2 inches
With experience copying classical antique sculptures in Florence, Francis Harwood created this exceptional sculpture which combined the elements of classical sculpture with the subject of a more modern (1700s) Black individual – a subject we do not frequently have the privilege of seeing.
In fact, this noble bust by Francis Harwood is one of the earliest known sculptures of an African by a western European artist since antiquity. There is some speculation that it could be representing Memnon, king of the Ethiopians in Greek mythology, but no one seems to be certain. Although the sitter is unknown, details like the scar on his face, the small ears, and the bags and creases under his eyes suggest that this is a portrait of a specific individual. The specificity and personality of this man distinguishes this sculpture from the decorative and generalized busts of Africans in exotic costumes that were commonly produced in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
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I liked the form of the model’s body within the fabric. The pose reminded me of classical sculptures, extraneous arms removed. This is one of the first prints I made with drypoint, for this series. I was surprised and thrilled to see what the lovely pattern on the flowered rug looked like after printing. Ink makes …
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