«The Little Porter». 1912. Alexander Matveev. Bronze. Dimensions: 37×16×15 cm. Tactile model. Plastic, metallization (bronze).
A full-length figure of a standing nude African boy. His posture shows no strain—his curved, streamlined body effortlessly overcomes the weight of his burden. The boy casually supports a light load placed on his head with his raised arms, bent at the elbows. He stands poised, resiliently leaning on his left leg, with his right leg slightly bent at the knee and extended forward.
This work by Matveev reflects the sculptor’s fascination with African art. At the same time, the delicacy of the master’s touch, his sensitivity in handling sculptural form, and his taste for subtle yet profoundly meaningful plastic nuances are expressed here with particular fullness. Dimensions of the original: height 38 cm, width 16 cm, depth 17.55 cm.
by Irina Savenko