Art Analysis: In Memoriam II By Elisabeth Frink

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In Memoriam II by Elisabeth Frink is at once a detailed and subtle piece. Through the use of purposeful and intended lines, geometric structuring, the bronze material and texturing, and many other formal qualities of the piece, Frink is able to capture heavy simplicity and a solemn strength in deep pain.

Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993) was an English sculptor and printmaker. A theme Frink loved to work in was the nature of man, and this piece, In Memoriam II, is one that explores this theme in great depth. Along with In Memoriam I, this piece was gifted in memory of Seymour Boyd, in honour of the 150th anniversary of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in 2013. In Memoriam II now sits in the museums outdoor sculpture garden on Av du Musée.

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Not only does bronze naturally lend itself to the texturing that is so vital to the piece, but its hard, cold, metallic qualities also add to the hard, unhappy expression on the face. The bronze medium also catches the light in a way that brings a life-like naturalism to the face. It is possible that the artist had chosen to work in bronze knowing that this figure would be situated outdoors with more access to natural light.

This piece has been carved, a method that adds a necessary depth of feature to In Memoriam II. The eyes, nose, mouth, and upper neck have naturalistic shadows and are proportionately indented or protruding from the face. Similarly, features like the subtly sallow cheeks and highlighted cheekbones as well as the ears rely on a method of execution that can subtract minute amounts of material.

These formal qualities all bring understandable and accessible methods of analysis to decipher the meaning behind this face. But there is also an overwhelming sadness and pressure that one feels upon standing before this figure, a feeling inexplicable through careful analysis. In Memoriam II captures the nature of man in a moment of weakness and grief. Despite the internal sadness, man puts on a strong and brave face. Frink’s In Memoriam II is an example of how it sometimes shows

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