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
Brushstrokes I’ve heard from several students that Brushstrokes is one of the best classes they’ve ever taken. I offer it once a year, and there’s a class starting next week. There are still a few spots if you’d like to jump in on Thursdays 6-10pm. Not a night person? No problem. I …
I’ve shared most of Carlos San Millan’s favorite paintings by Emil Joseph Robinson but not all, and these paintings are too good to pass by, so I’m sharing the full collection. It’s almost a waste to post them one after the other like this, each of the works is so deserving of independent attention. I’m …
Take a class with SAL – anywhere! In previous V. Notes, I’ve posted work by our sumi instructor Angie Dixon, Huang Yongyu, Pan Gongkai, and stuff you didn’t know about sumi. Today I wanted to broaden my view of sumi painting. I wanted to see more works that are being created in the medium today. …
[image_with_animation image_url=”9654″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] It’s said that Cézanne would plan a general composition, then step around and closer, moving his easel to each object to paint it with his full attention, thus disrupting the illusion of perspective that occurs when looking from a single viewpoint. For today’s creative challenge, find or arrange a …
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.
Related Posts
Madame Matisse and the blue and white kimono
Brushstrokes I’ve heard from several students that Brushstrokes is one of the best classes they’ve ever taken. I offer it once a year, and there’s a class starting next week. There are still a few spots if you’d like to jump in on Thursdays 6-10pm. Not a night person? No problem. I …
Emil Joseph Robinson
I’ve shared most of Carlos San Millan’s favorite paintings by Emil Joseph Robinson but not all, and these paintings are too good to pass by, so I’m sharing the full collection. It’s almost a waste to post them one after the other like this, each of the works is so deserving of independent attention. I’m …
9 Contemporary Sumi Artists
Take a class with SAL – anywhere! In previous V. Notes, I’ve posted work by our sumi instructor Angie Dixon, Huang Yongyu, Pan Gongkai, and stuff you didn’t know about sumi. Today I wanted to broaden my view of sumi painting. I wanted to see more works that are being created in the medium today. …
SALChallenge: Cézanne’s Perspective
[image_with_animation image_url=”9654″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] It’s said that Cézanne would plan a general composition, then step around and closer, moving his easel to each object to paint it with his full attention, thus disrupting the illusion of perspective that occurs when looking from a single viewpoint. For today’s creative challenge, find or arrange a …