Painting (La peinture) [obverse]

1897

Alexandre Charpentier

Associated Names
Alexandre Charpentier

Medalist, French, 1856 - 1909

The sculpture is a relief depicting a person from the shoulders up. The subject is shown in profile, facing left, holding a palette in one hand and paint brushes in the other. The sculpture is made of metal, likely bronze, with a dark brown tone and greenish hues from oxidation. The person's hair is short and wavy, and the figure is represented in a classical style with smooth and subtle contours. The image suggests the artist is focused on their work, as indicated by the posture and orientation of the tools in their hands.

Media Options

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On View

West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G1

Artwork overview

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a relief piece depicting a botanical subject, featuring a palm frond and another plant with small leaves and buds intertwined. The sculpture is primarily bronze in color. The surface has a slightly weathered look, suggesting age or intentional design with a patina. The artwork is presented on an octagonal panel, giving the relief a framed aspect. The natural textures of the plants provide contrast against the smoother surface background.

Intertwined Branches of Laurel and Evergreen [reverse]

Alexandre Charpentier

1897

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Mark and Lynne Hammerschlag, Greenwich, Connecticut; gift 2004 to NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2009

  • The Darker Side of Light: Arts of Privacy, 1850-1900, Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago, 2009-2010, unnumbered catalogue, fig. 14 of chapter "Sculpture and Privacy."

Inscriptions

lower left in monogram: ALC

Wikidata ID

Q63863419

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