Truth and Falsehood by Alfred Stevens

I had the pleasure of seeing the "Truth and Falsehood" sculpture in the flesh when I visited London this summer. These pictures are not mine, however. All credit goes out to the random photographers who I stole these photos from on Google Images.

To explain what this artwork is about, I found an excerpt of a summary given by the Victoria and Albert Museum website (http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O127118/model-for-wellington-monument-truth-model-stevens-alfred-george/): "In this work Truth tears out the double tongue of Falsehood and pushes aside the mask concealing his grotesque features. His serpent-tails are exposed beneath the drapery."

What an interesting concept for artwork. During my extensive field trip through almost all of the art museums in London, I noticed that many of the subjects of the most acclaimed art pieces revolve around religion. So, it was certainly refreshing to view something so intense and epic, especially after viewing a million different solemn, reverent versions of Christ getting crucified.

What I love about this sculpture is the dynamic movement blanketing over each individual. With Falsehood's arm extending over the platform and resting on another plane, the entire scene is pulled into the forefront, allowing the viewer to be engaged with the action. When this sculpture is viewed from the front, the viewer sees Truth's arm extending forwards and down - a very intimidating posture. Stevens also masterfully constructed Falsehood's position so that the fallen figure would not be seen from the frontal view; viewers must walk around the sculpture in order to experience every aspect of this gruesome scene before them.

It seems that asymmetrical compositions are more pleasing to the eye.

I don't understand how people are able to get the texture of drapery. This is plaster! IT'S MAGNIFICENT. The way the drapery strains against the bulging muscles just highlights the struggle of Falsehood and somehow enhances the ease of Truth's superiority.

Also, I love that foot.

 

Stevens, Alfred. Model for Wellington Monument: Truth and Falsehood. 1867. Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Victoria and Albert Museum. Web. 11 September 2013.