response to artwork

Nick Simon

3/23/17

Documenting Your World

Saretta Morgan

Response to Artwork

Artists: Adrien-Pierre Dalpayrat (1844-1910) and Alphonse Voisin-Delacroix (1857-1893)

Artwork: Mask of Actor from the Commedia dell’Arte (1882)

1. Describe the artwork in terms of attributes that you see in the work.  Only things that you see physically:

·      A mask.

·      The mask (to me) depicts an old man.

·      The old man’s skin is maroon.

·      The old man’s skin is also a little splotchy.  The splotches are a kind of cream/light yellow/blonde color.  (They contribute to the maroon man’s aged appearance.)

·      The old maroon man appears to be smiling/chuckling.

·      The skin around the old maroon man’s eyes is wrinkled (These wrinkles contributes to his aged appearance.)

·      Although the old maroon man is smiling/chuckling, his furrowed brow suggests that he might be experiencing angst and/or dejection as well. 

2. Describe what you think is happening in the work.  What is it about:

I think the sculpture is a depiction of how it’s possible to experience humor, discomfort, and sadness at the same time, within the span of a single moment.

3. Describe emotions that you experience when looking at this work:

I feel compassion for the old maroon man.  This compassion is prompted by his ambivalent appearance: he seems to be primarily happy/amused, but he’s also a little anxious and despondent.  I feel happy that the old maroon man is portrayed as happy/amused (I usually enjoy seeing other people happy, even if they’re sculptures).  I also feel pity because I know the old maroon man’s humor is not unadulterated – it’s tinged with a little angst and dejection.  These emotions – my happiness and pity – form the basis of my compassion.

4. How is this work related to your topic:

This work is related to my topic (humor and race relations) for two reasons:

·      It depicts the emotions people often experience when they’re exposed to comedy/humor that is related to (or addresses) race relations, racial tensions, or racism: amusement, angst, and sadness. 

·      It also offers a “race-less” medium through which this emotional trifecta is depicted.  (Maroon is not a race yet.)  Thus the sculpture is able to do what humor is (sometimes) capable of doing: transcend race.