«Portrait of the Writer Andrei Bely». 1907. Ivan Efimov. Porcelain. Dimensions: 22×26 cm. Tactile model. Plastic.
This relief portrait depicts a male profile facing left, executed in a free-flowing style. The facial features are somewhat softened: the gentle line of the nose and forehead, the faint mustache above the upper lip, and the loosely swept-back hair convey the liveliness and impetuous character of the subject. The barely suggested collar of the garment and the uneven, textured background indicate the preparatory stage of the relief’s execution. The combination of this irregular background with the delicate, subtle rendering of the young writer’s face creates a striking contrast, emphasizing the rebellious spirit of the subject.
Executed in a highly unrestrained manner, the relief demonstrates the high professional skill of the sculptor I. Efimov, who managed to capture a convincing and memorable image even in a small format.
This depiction of a young man in profile represents Andrei Bely as he appeared at the time. His face is oriented as if facing E.V. Derviz, and the relief shares the same dimensions and is likewise made of porcelain. Thus, these two reliefs form a pair. However, the portrait of Andrei Bely differs entirely in its interpretation and modeling: his profile lacks clear contours, and the sculpting manner is freely impressionistic, «unfinished,» as if the artist made a swift sketch from life.
by Irina Savenko