The man with the sweater (Portrait of Floris Jespers), 1917
The Work
- Title: The man with the sweater (Portrait of Floris Jespers)
- Artist: Oscar Jespers
- Date: 1917
- Technique: Bronze
- Dimensions: 113 x 55 x44 cm
In Essence
This powerful bust is a masterpiece of Belgian sculpture, gemaakt door , created by his brother, the renowned sculptor Oscar Jespers. It is a unique and external perspective on the central figure of this collection, Floris Jespers, and a moving document of their intimate, fraternal bond.
A Deeper Look
The Scene: A Modern Portrait
The sculpture depicts the young, 28-year-old artist Floris Jespers. The expression is pensive, serious, and somewhat melancholic, fitting the grim war period in which it was made (1917). The choice of an everyday garment —a heavy, high-necked turtleneck—instead of a formal suit is a deliberate break with academic tradition and places the artist in his modern, everyday reality.
The Symbols: An Outside Perspective
The symbolic power of this work lies in its unique angle. We see Floris Jespers not as he saw himself, but through the psychological gaze of his brother. It is an objective yet deeply empathetic portrayal, attempting to capture the complex inner world of the modern artist in the sombre atmosphere of 1917.
The Link: Dialogue of Self-Portraits
Within the collection, this work engages in a fascinating dialogue with Floris' own self-portraits. It forms a powerful contrast with the only known figurative self-portrait that Floris painted of himself, as well as with his habit of depicting himself as a symbolic clown, as in"Clown with the Angel of death". Together, these works offer a layered insight into the themes of self-perception and identity..
An Acclaimed Masterpiece
Museum Recognition
This bust is a recognised masterpiece of to the Belgian Expressionism. The objective confirmation of this status lies in the fact that another, identical cast of this work is part of the permanent collection of the KMSKA (Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp)..