The bar is overall an exquisite piece of artwork. While an exacting body double based on the original super-rare Sofie Sweetheart from Series III, Masterpiece Sofie highlights one smooth and creamy modification to her presence - contrast.
With a physique that was visually alluring in her first presentation, this run has Sofie's voluptuous curves and porcelain skin portrayed smooth as icing and shapely as any delicate ice sculpture. However, the true elegance resides in the increased contrast. Every curve is brought to the forefront by well-balanced lighting and color contrast, permitting Sofie to emerge from the bar as one intact figure.
Small draft details, such as improved lines and the re-imagined whisk, add a little something more to this bar's overall beauty.
In short, Sofie Sweetheart actually transforms into pastry to be consumed...slowly.
Additionally, the background has gone from a warm kitchen setting to a nice, soft and pleasantly gradated blend sporting, not surprisingly, cupcakes. The color choices here are top notch. Each floating confectionary draws its tones from Sofie's own sugary, peachy skin. Hips, lower abdomen, shoulders and, ehm, Sofie's "personal cupcakes" offer the hues reflected in the background. Even her nipple tones bleed into the cherry red topping a cupcake found front-and-center.
Also of importance, the bar itself has undergone significant improvements, transcending the well-received digitally printed form from the the original presentation and evolving into an unexpectedly well-polished, vibrantly-colored, enameled jewel. The finishing process has created a bar that is bathed in richer, more sensual hues associated with sultry flesh, an undeniable draw for Sofie. Though not noticeable in the digital image of the artwork, the bar itself has a granulated texture that conveys, strangely enough, the sensation of confetti, adding to the pastry motif, and thus, thematically raising the bar.
The overall contrast on the bar is extremely well-balanced, not competing nor being subjugated by the Sofie's foreground presence or the raining cupcakes found at her backside. Instead, all elements seamlessly blend into one another, creating a firmly centered yet open-composition image.
Not to be forgotten, the back of the bar is simple yet elegant in its design, displaying a crisp, nice contrast highlighted by Sofie's irresistible, motion-powered hips against a black, diamond-patterned background.
As would be expected, each bar does have its own CoA (Certificate of Authenticity), and like with her sister, Sofie's CoA could be the tart center in the frosting. A white-and-red icing motif is a fantastic slide into the overall cooking theme. However, the design choice does cause a lot of imagery real estate to be lost. As such, the front of the CoA has images which are patently too small, not being able to be properly appreciated. Of course, this is nitpicking. One's too busy being distracted by the sugary enticement found elsewhere.
Finally, Sofie Sweetheart and accompanying Certificate of Authenticity are contained in a simple, yet nicely designed case of all black with a pink silhouette of the encased model firmly stamped on front with the Bullion Baddies logo centrally placed. Clean, contained and elegant in its simplified presentation.
As an interesting design point, Sofie, and her younger sister bar, Fiona Flannel, are both depicted as inverted poses on their respective boxes. Sofie's backside - likely already covered in velvet frosting - also has an inverted silhouette. Obviously, not an important point of contention but an observation on interesting design selections.
If anything could become a true point of contention it would be the price. In any other series, if the current dollar range were to be stamped on another design within the Bullion Baddies wheelhouse, many would likely deem it almost abusive. However, on an artistic silver bar of this quality with so much detailing, highly improved contrast, creamy, smooth warm colors, and cooking-girl-next door confidence, it could be seen as a reasonable cost.
So, pick up the mixing bowl, wink, and have a lick...
(Bar #9 of 100)
