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 Description
- bronze on marble base
- Classifications
- Subjects
- Figure female — head
- French
- Object Number
- 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.
