Mr. Pieter Jelles Troelstra 1926

This bronze relief of Mr. Pieter Jelles Troelstra, was created by Johannes Cornelis Wienecke. Look at the way the face emerges from the smooth background. You can really see how Wienecke built up the shapes, one on top of another. There is something appealing in the subtle play of light across the surface. The artist's hand seems present in the way the metal has been coaxed into shape. Those small, deliberate movements give the work a sense of intimacy, despite it being a public figure. Note the sharp definition of the glasses and the soft modelling of the cheek and brow. The lettering is an integral part of the image. For me, this piece really speaks to the power of portraiture. Like Rodin’s busts or Medardo Rosso’s impressionistic sculptures, it’s a reminder that a work of art can say so much without needing to spell everything out. It’s a conversation, not a lecture.