Sarah Bernhardt in sculptural self-portraits and works of sculptors – her contemporaries
https://doi.org/10.28995/2073-6401-2024-4-224-249
Abstract
The work analyzes sculptural portraits of Sarah Bernhardt, created either by French artists of the second half of the 19th – early 20th century, or by the actress herself. Understanding the need for self-expression not only on stage, but also in the sculptor’s studio, Bernard used her fame to promote her own creations at exhibitions and in theaters during tours, putting on public display both sculptures and busts of her friends and famous contemporaries, as well as self-portraits. To embody the images of the great French actress in marble, bronze, terracotta, clay, and plaster, artists used a rich palette of expressive means. In an effort to enhance the imagery and colorfulness of the sculptures, the authors turned to polychromy, combining marble of different colors, gilded, silvered, patinated bronze, ivory or painted marble, wax or plaster in one work. Acting in line with the development of French sculpture of that period, artists used replication techniques, creating several versions of one sculpture in different materials, gave objects the utilitarian properties of sculptural portraits of Sarah Bernhardt, and used ornamental patterns characteristic of Art Nouveau. The imagery with which the artists embodied Sarah Bernhardt in sculpture was generally consistent with her images in other types of fine art: an actress in theatrical costumes, a creative person surrounded by the attributes of the theater, a sculptor and painter, a beautiful lady, sometimes endowed with fantasy features.
Supporting agencies: The author expresses gratitude to E.V. Klyushina, the candidate of art history, associate professor of the Department of Theory and History of Art of the Russian State University for the Humanities, for critical comments expressed during the preparation of the article.
About the Author
T. E. Kem
Independent researcher
Russian Federation
Tatiana E. Kem, Master of Art History
Russian Federation
Tatiana E. Kem, Master of Art History
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Review
For citations:
Kem T.E. Sarah Bernhardt in sculptural self-portraits and works of sculptors – her contemporaries. RSUH/RGGU BULLETIN. Series Philosophy. Social Studies. Art Studies. 2024;(4):224-249. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.28995/2073-6401-2024-4-224-249
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