Portret van een onbekende dame c. 1833

This captivating bust of an unknown lady was created by Lorenzo Bartolini, who lived from 1777 to 1850, most likely from a single block of white marble. Marble sculpture demands a slow, subtractive process. Bartolini would have used various tools to rough out the form before refining the surface, gradually revealing the figure within. This was physically demanding work, involving not only artistic skill, but also considerable labor. The smooth, polished surface enhances the delicate features of the subject, her elaborate coiffure and draped clothing. The whiteness of the marble adds to the idealized quality of the piece, yet the inherent weight of the material also gives it a sense of permanence and presence. While the subject’s identity remains a mystery, the sheer amount of work, and skillful articulation of form evident in the bust speaks to the value that Bartolini placed on his craft. The sculpture collapses distinctions between artistry, labor, and social status.