In Face - French, part of Pierre Sernet’s Face series, the artist presents an extreme close-up of a sculpted face, capturing every ridge, contour, and shadow that defines the human countenance. By focusing on the bare essentials—two eyes, a nose, and a mouth—Sernet strips away cultural markers and specific identity, reducing the face to a universal form that resonates with the viewer on an instinctual level. The texture of the French bronze, polished and dark, adds an almost visceral quality to the piece, highlighting both the humanity and the timelessness embedded in the sculpture’s expression.

Sernet’s approach in this series is both novel and profound; rather than photographing live subjects, he captures faces from iconic sculptures around the world, viewing them as “ultimate representations of Man.” This choice removes any particularized identity from the subject, allowing the face to exist as a mirror for humankind itself. The dark, reflective surface of the bronze further abstracts the face, turning it into a powerful yet anonymous symbol of human experience. It is an intense gaze that draws viewers in, encouraging them to recognize themselves within the features of this silent, enduring face.

In Face, Sernet unites diverse statuary from different cultures into a cohesive visual language, where cultural and ethnic distinctions dissolve. This face—whether perceived as ancient or modern, Western or Eastern—serves as a reminder that the fundamentals of human expression are universal. The subtle, almost mathematical reduction of features allows viewers to transcend boundaries, engaging with a portrayal of humanity that is both familiar and profoundly communal. Through these faces, Sernet captures the essence of shared experience, prompting us to reflect on our collective identity across time and place.