Experiencing Figures In Sculptures
Experiencing Figures in Motion The process of experiencing a work can be transcendental as it can alter the emotional state of the viewer and enhance the space in which the work is displayed. Sculptures involving an movement and action can help enhance the visual and psychological experience for the viewers. Movement in sculpture can be created through the style, posture, and materiality of the figures depicted but also externally as many sculptures encourage the viewers to physically move around the work. Movement can also help enhance the quality of a collection and emphasise on the virtuosity and craftsmanship of the artist. The following essay will address the connection between action and experience in two works that are on display at
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2) can also be found in the same room, the Sixteenth Century Gallery, of the Wallace Collection. This work represents the mythological story of Cupid who was believed to be a boy with wings who has the ability to make people fall in love by shooting arrows at them. The artist has chosen to depict the figure with a blindfold, which could reference Cupid’s blindness, who is about the release his arrow while standing on top if a dolphin. He is also wielding an arrow, which is the weapon most associated with Cupid. The figure is often depicted standing close to or on top of a dolphin because it was believed that a dolphin saved Cupid from an octopus. The dolphin was also portrayed less naturalistic and more like a fountain possibly to create more of a sense of movement and flow. There are many characteristics of this statuette that are associated with movement such as Cupid’s wings, the dolphin, and the action of releasing the arrow. Cupid, similarly to Statuette of Hercules, is positioned at an angle which would require the viewers to walk around this statuette as well to be able to see the extent of the action, the wings and to completely view the dolphin. The material used to produce this sculpture was Brass, which is a material that is similar to bronze, they both contain a copper alloy and have to be
2) can also be found in the same room, the Sixteenth Century Gallery, of the Wallace Collection. This work represents the mythological story of Cupid who was believed to be a boy with wings who has the ability to make people fall in love by shooting arrows at them. The artist has chosen to depict the figure with a blindfold, which could reference Cupid’s blindness, who is about the release his arrow while standing on top if a dolphin. He is also wielding an arrow, which is the weapon most associated with Cupid. The figure is often depicted standing close to or on top of a dolphin because it was believed that a dolphin saved Cupid from an octopus. The dolphin was also portrayed less naturalistic and more like a fountain possibly to create more of a sense of movement and flow. There are many characteristics of this statuette that are associated with movement such as Cupid’s wings, the dolphin, and the action of releasing the arrow. Cupid, similarly to Statuette of Hercules, is positioned at an angle which would require the viewers to walk around this statuette as well to be able to see the extent of the action, the wings and to completely view the dolphin. The material used to produce this sculpture was Brass, which is a material that is similar to bronze, they both contain a copper alloy and have to be