RSA Scottish Art
Cherna
 | Artist: Benno Schotz |
| Title: Cherna | |
| Year: 1945 | |
| Medium: bronze | |
| Dimensions: | |
| Suggested topic: | |
| Source: RSA | |
| View full screen image of this work | |
| Open print version of this work | |
| © the trustees of the late Benno Schotz | |
| Description: Benno Schotz was highly influential in Scotland and he had a long and distinguished career producing many sculptures of eminent people. This piece, Cherna, is one of a number of sculptures of his only daughter, Simone Cherna. This sculpture immortalises the childhood of his daughter, and in contrast to the traditional portrait bust, Schotz has chosen a half-length format. He has captured the willowy form of a growing child and the slightly awkward way that she holds her hands. This representation of childhood shows the small, delicate body and peaceful expression of a young girl in a relaxed pose. Everything about this sculpture expresses innocence and a feeling that this child has yet to discover any of the anxieties of adult life. This bronze, cast from a clay model, has a textured surface quality that enhances the vivacity of the piece. The wide-open eyes express innocence, shown through his technique of impressing the original clay eye socket with a modelling tool. The highly polished surface reflects many highlights. The roughness of the finish is in keeping with Schotz's energetic style, and this piece can also be appreciated as an interesting sculptural object as well as a pleasing portrait of a child.The long pleated pigtails form a strong structural balance at the back of the piece, and have the effect of making the girl look very upright and dignified. The posture of the figure is very important in how we choose to see and understand the person. Can you imagine how the girl would look if she was slumped over, or if her head was tilted downwards? This would obviously affect our view of the sculpture's form too. In order to express the vivacity of the girl, and to make the sculpture succeed as an energetic shape, Schotz was compelled to choose this vertical, optimistic posture. | |
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