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
[image_with_animation image_url=”8071″ alignment=”center” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Drawings by Ruthie V. I received a very nice letter today. It’s about line, and how one League artist improved her quality of line – not by thinking about improving the quality of her line directly – but by checking in on her level of engagement with the drawing. …
[image_with_animation image_url=”6577″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Auguste Rodin November 12, 1840 – November 17, 1917 I’m hoping you haven’t seen these before We’ve all seen The Thinker so many times we can’t see it at all. And various versions of The Kiss may have lost their charge as well. Perhaps some others come to mind …
CoCA’s 24 Hour Art Marathon I just finished CoCA’s 24 hour marathon: 20 artists making artwork in a room for 24 hours. It’s a fun and fabulous premise. CoCA ran a great event, and I can’t thank them enough for inviting me, and for all the work they put into supporting the artists. Thanks to …
It’s time for me to introduce new experiments into my paintings. I’m taking a look back at surfaces, and how to alter the surface to have a different effect on my final painting. How can I get more finely tuned? How can I get more playful? How can I get more volume or color so my …
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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[image_with_animation image_url=”8071″ alignment=”center” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Drawings by Ruthie V. I received a very nice letter today. It’s about line, and how one League artist improved her quality of line – not by thinking about improving the quality of her line directly – but by checking in on her level of engagement with the drawing. …
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