Petr Wittlich
Light and Sculpture
Light is important for sculptors, because it enables the basic visual reception of the surface of the statue. Sculptures, unlike paintings, are very sensitive to the direction and intensity of light. It is therefore very important to achieve the correct lighting for sculptures. An important aid in this is provided by photographs of sculptures,taken or approved by the sculptors themselves. Taking the example of the works of Jan Štursa, in particular his Melancholy Girl, and issues relating to the shading of her face, the article shows how the lighting arrangement is essential for a proper understanding of artistic symbols and their psychological content. A comparison with the works of Constantin Brancuşi and Medardo Rosso extends these insights to the broader field of modern sculpture.
Key words: modern sculpture - light - photographs of sculptures
design by Bedřich Vémola
