La Parisienne

Paul Wayland Bartlett, La Parisienne, modeled ca. 1895, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Armistead Peter III, 1958.11.9
Copied Paul Wayland Bartlett, La Parisienne, modeled ca. 1895, bronze on marble base, 17 1⁄4 x 9 3⁄4 x 6 3⁄8 in. (43.8 x 24.8 x 16.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Armistead Peter III, 1958.11.9
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Artwork Details

Title
La Parisienne
Artist
Date
modeled ca. 1895
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
17 1⁄4 x 9 3⁄4 x 6 3⁄8 in. (43.8 x 24.8 x 16.2 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Armistead Peter III
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze on marble base
Classifications
Subjects
  • French
  • Figure female — head
Object Number
1958.11.9
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1958.11.9

Artwork Description

Paul Wayland Bartlett’s portrait of a Parisienne was an appropriate subject for an American sculptor who spent most of his life and career in France. In contrast to his smoothly carved marbles, this bronze piece has a rough, textured surface that records the artist’s physical gestures in modeling the clay original. The subject is a contemporary French woman, rather than an idealized figure that the artist created to look “classical.” Bartlett’s expressive naturalism probably came from his time spent with the French sculptor Rodin.