The artwork “Jean-Ponce-Guillaume Viennet (1777-1868), Deputy, Peer of France and Academician” by Honoré Daumier dates from 1832 to 1833. This sculpture was crafted from clay, embodying the Realism art movement. It is classified as a sculpture, widely recognized as a genre within the arts. This particular piece is part of the collection at the Musée d’Orsay, located in Paris, France.
The artwork is a skillful representation carved in clay, displaying an individual who evidently held a position of significance, as denoted by the depicted attire and the solemn composure. The sculpture’s surface is texturally rich, with evident marks of the artist’s hand and tools, which lend the piece a visceral and immediate quality characteristic of Realist sculptures. The figure carries an expression of contemplative severity, and the sculptor has managed to capture intricate facial details, suggesting both the individual’s character and the atmosphere of the era. The coloring is subtle, predominantly earthen, with hints of other hues that enhance the realistic appearance of the subject. Through this work, Daumier contributes to the legacy of Realism by focusing on the human condition and societal roles through portraiture in sculpture.
