Ailsa Mellon Bruce 1927

Jo Davidson carved this portrait of Ailsa Mellon Bruce from stone. The bust emerges from a rough, unfinished block, a contrast of textures. It reminds me of Michelangelo who once said he saw the sculpture within the stone as he worked. I can imagine Davidson chipping away, slowly revealing the face within. What was he thinking about as he worked? Did he find her likeness easily, or did it take time to coax it out of the stone? What I like about this sculpture is the contrast between the smooth face and the raw rock surrounding it. It’s as if the portrait is emerging from the earth itself. It reminds me that artists are always in conversation with each other across time. We all build on what came before, finding new ways to express ourselves through our chosen medium, whether it’s paint, stone, or something else entirely. I think art allows us to embrace ambiguity, inviting multiple readings and interpretations.