Portfolios > Tronies

The 17th century Dutch term “tronie” refers to heads, faces, or expressions depicted in works that were not intended to be formal portraits. Rather, they were meant as studies of interesting expressions, physiognomy, or facial character. Frans Hal’s painting Jester with a Lute, in the Louvre, Paris, is a good example of this genre as were well known works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and others.

In 2002, during a work-related project carving styrofoam to test a number of coatings, Post was surprised as a head emerged from the block of foam. Never considering herself a carver, she was startled at the results. The continued carving of heads represents a major shift in her work.

Michelle Post’s 3-dimensional tronies are not traditional portraits. Colorful, expressive, engaging and humorous describe these inventive concoctions of observation, imagination, artistic style and technical command. In these larger than life-size head/plinth compositions, Post focuses on the features and expressions of anonymous people. They are not idealized, not a pretty or handsome media face, nor a particular person; yet, they are somehow familiar.

These 21st century tronies arise primarily from Michelle’s imagination. They all are informed by a lifetime of stored observations. The original pieces are carved directly in Styrofoam then modeled over which softens and unifies them, then painted in an expressive manner.

"Stanley"
Painted cast aluminum
2016
Sculpture, grandfather clock, Tronie, Michelle Post,
73"x23"x23"
2017
Sculpture, grandfather clock, Tronie, Michelle Post,
Carved styrofoam, plaster gauze, fiberglass, acrylic enamel paint, purchased clock.
2017
Sculpture, grandfather clock, Tronie, Michelle Post,
73"x23"x23"
2017
Tronie, tronies, heads, sculpture, portrait, styrofoam sculpture.
Carved styrofoam, plaster gauze, fiberglass, acrylic enamel paint.
2018
Tronie, tronies, heads, sculpture, portrait, styrofoam sculpture.
Carved styrofoam, plaster gauze, fiberglass, acrylic enamel paint.
65"x19"x19"
2017
Tronie, tronies, heads, sculpture, portrait, styrofoam sculpture.
Carved styrofoam, plaster gauze, fiberglass, acrylic enamel paint.
65"x19"x19"
2017
Tronie, tronies, heads, sculpture, portrait, styrofoam sculpture.
Carved styrofoam, plaster gauze, fiberglass, acrylic enamel paint.
65"x19"x19"
2017
Tronie, tronies, heads, sculpture, portrait, styrofoam sculpture.
Carved styrofoam, plaster gauze, fiberglass, acrylic enamel paint.
65"x19"x19"
2017
Tronie, tronies, heads, sculpture, portrait, styrofoam sculpture.
Carved styrofoam, plaster gauze, fiberglass, acrylic enamel paint.
65"x19"x19"
2017
tronie, tronies, heads, sculpture, portrait, styrofoam sculpture.
Carved styrofoam, plaster gauze, fiberglass, acrylic enamel paint.
65"x19"x19"
2017
Trophy Series
Carved styrofoam, plaster gauze, resin, acrylic paint, stretched canvas.
12"x12"x9"
2019
Trophy Series
Carved styrofoam, plaster gauze, resin, acrylic paint, stretched canvas.
12"x12"x9"
2019
Trophy Series
Carved styrofoam, plaster gauze, resin, acrylic paint, stretched canvas.
12"x12"x9"
2019
Trophy Series- "Trophy #3"
Carved styrofoam, plaster gauze, resin, acrylic paint, stretched canvas.
12"x12"x9"
2019
Trophy Series- "Trophy #2"
Carved styrofoam, plaster gauze, resin, acrylic paint, stretched canvas.
12"x12"x9"
2019
Trophy Series, "Trophy #1"
Carved styrofoam, plaster gauze, resin, acrylic paint, stretched canvas.
12"x12"x9"
2019
sculpture, heads, Tronies, dumbbell, circus act, michelle post
Styrofoam, resin, acrylic paint, iron, wool
61”x28”x56”
2017
dumbbell, sculpture, heads, Tronies, circus act, michelle post
Styrofoam, resin, acrylic paint, iron, wool
61”x28”x56”
2017
Post Industrial Tronies Heads Sculpture by Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
2012
Post Industrial Tronies Heads Sculpture by Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
2012
Post Industrial Tronies Heads Sculpture by Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
2012
tronie head sculpture Michelle Post
54" x 22" x 19"
2012
tronie head sculpture Michelle Post
68" x 20" x 19"
2011
tronie head sculpture by Michelle Post
62" x 16" x 15"
2011
tronie head sculpture Michelle Post
60" x 15" x 18"
2011
tronie head sculpture Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
14" x 24" x 14"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, water putty, acrylic paint
60" x 15" x 18"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
42" x 11" x 14"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
42" x 11" x 14"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
42" x 11" x 14"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
47" x 14" x 11"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
24" x 13" x 13"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
24" x 13" x 13"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam, plaster gauze, water putty, acrylic paints
46" x 19" x 20"
2012
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
16" x 18" x13"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
16" x 18" x13"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
16" x 18" x13"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam, plaster gauze, water putty, acrylic paints
50" x 22" x 19"
2012
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam, plaster gauze, water putty, acrylic paints
51" x 19" x 20"
2012
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam, plaster gauze, water putty, acrylic paints
50" x 19" x 20"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
20" x 13" x 10"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
14" x 10" x 13"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
14" x 10" x 13"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
12" x 10" x 12"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
12" x 10" x 12"
2011
Tronie head sculpture Miami Art Basel Michelle Post
Styrofoam core, plaster gauze, Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, Acylic paint
13" x 10" x 13"
2011