Mon portrait, PPS387, Jacques Callot, En 1888

Author(s): carriès, jean (lyon, 15–02–1855 - paris, 01–07–1894), sculptor production date: in 1888 dating in century: 4th quarter of the 19th century type(s) of object(s): sculpture name(s): ronde-bosse, transi materials and techniques: wax dimensions - artwork: height: 125cm width: 67 cm depth: 60cm iconographic description: jean carriès (1855-1894) depicted himself life-size, in a work blouse, with his usual felt hat. The sculptor holds the statuette known as "jacques callot" in his left hand. A death mask called the “mother of carriès” is attached to the base of the monument. We also find two strange animals prefiguring those of the "monumental gate", his great unfinished work. Historical commentary: jean carriès created this self-portrait in wax around the age of 32. This is exactly how his friends describe him: the fierce features, the dark gaze, the hand tools, the felt hat worn all the time. . . Wax is one of his favorite materials. The petit palais is fortunate to preserve six of these spectacular waxworks. Few sculptors of his time dared to use this material on such a scale for a completed work. The visible network of slits is also due to the aging of the material. The wax is tinted, partially stamped in a mold, partially modeled, fixed on a plaster and tow core, or covering a carved wooden base. The work has a very realistic appearance: carriès had successively life casts of hands (perhaps his own?), of his torso “with a blouse and arms”, which he undoubtedly reuses here. But it is also a dreamed self-portrait. The artist surrounded himself with what had meaning for him: a death mask called the mother of carriès, a fantasy character recalling the imaginary busts he creates, and already, two strange animals prefiguring those of the monumental gate, his great unfinished work. A fine tribute from his friends, a bronze print of this self-portrait is on the artist's grave in the père-lachaise cemetery. A. S. Themes / subjects / places represented: self-portrait, sculptor, work outfit, hat, mask, self-portrait person / character depicted: carries, jean; callot, jacques acquisition method: manual donation name of donor, testator, seller: hoentschel, georges date of acquisition: 01–07–1904 institution: petit palais, museum of fine arts of the city of paris inventory number: pps387 exposed: petit palais ground floor room 17. Date: En 1888.