Multiple made with shells on damask in four versions of different colors (black, green, red, white)

Enrico Baj’s Catherine Henriette de Balzac d’Etrague Marquise de Verneuil is a playful and intricate mixed-media artwork, crafted with an assortment of shells arranged on damask fabric. This composition combines natural materials and a fine textile background to create a whimsical portrait of the historical figure Catherine Henriette de Balzac, rendered in a stylized, almost caricature-like form. The use of shells to form the shapes of the face and body adds texture and dimension to the piece, giving it a tactile and almost sculptural quality. The delicate pattern of the damask contrasts with the rough, organic shapes of the shells, resulting in a dynamic interplay between texture and form. This work exemplifies Baj’s unconventional approach to art, blending humor, history, and mixed media to create unique, thought-provoking pieces. Produced in four color variations (black, green, red, and white), it reflects Baj’s fascination with materiality and his ability to transform everyday objects into art.