The artwork titled “Portrait of a Baby,” created by Augusta Savage in 1942, is a representation of the Realism art movement and falls under the genre of sculpture.
The sculpture is a detailed and lifelike portrayal of a young infant. Constructed with careful attention to the delicate features synonymous with a baby, the sculpture captures the essence and innocence of early childhood. The infant’s face is the focal point, with finely modeled cheeks, closed eyes, and tender lips. The use of smooth contours emphasizes the softness associated with a baby’s skin. The positioning and proportions are indicative of a skilled artist’s hand, reflecting Augusta Savage’s ability to transform a simple medium into a conveyance of human emotion and fragility. The naturalistic approach adheres closely to the principles of the Realism movement, embodying a faithful depiction of the subject.
