Seated Woman (1969) is one of three statues by Willem de Kooning that the city is rich in. It forms a unity with two other statues: Standing Figure (1969) in Reclining Figure (1969)The image Seated Woman was placed on the Weena in April 1984 on the occasion of the eightieth birthday of the now world-famous artist Willem de Kooning, who was born in Rotterdam. As the name suggests, Seated Woman a highly abstracted representation of a woman. The model for the statue was created in 1970, but this version – the third to be cast from the model – was made in 1980. The statue was purchased as a tribute to the artist by the city of Rotterdam. It was placed on the initiative of the then director of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Mr. Wim Beeren. He found the Boijmans Van Beuningen Foundation, a number of sponsors and the Municipality of Rotterdam willing to provide money to purchase this work of art. It reportedly cost around one million guilders; a relatively small amount for a work of this size and by an artist who was already world-famous during his lifetime. De Kooning was one of the representatives of American 'abstract expressionism' and painted abstract paintings since the 1950s, in which monumental and expressively painted women appear. In addition to the landscape, women form his central theme. De Kooning did not idealize his women, but the expressive power of expression is paramount. His Seated Woman even has an extra pair of limbs to enhance this expression. De Kooning only began creating sculptures later in life. He considered his sculptures, which he initially sculpted, as three-dimensional painting. He saw the clay as thick paint. His irregularly shaped figures seem to emerge in an energetic outburst. Due to the renovations and redevelopment of the Hofplein, Seated Woman, Reclining Figure en Standing Figure Temporarily stored. In 2027, the statues will be returned to the green Hofplein. For more information: Sculpture International Rotterdam
Originally from Rotterdam artist Willem de Kooning (Rotterdam, 1904 - Springs, New York, 1997) became one of the most famous representatives of the then new Abstract Expressionism in America in the 1950s. In those years he initially made large abstract paintings with expressive paint gestures. At the end of the sixties he started making sculptures. He made approximately 25 of these large bronze female figures, three of which are in Rotterdam. After his death, the Rotterdam art academy was renamed Willem de Kooning Academy in 1998.
Seated Woman (1969) is one of three statues by Willem de Kooning that the city is rich in. It forms a unity with two other statues: Standing Figure (1969) in Reclining Figure (1969)The image Seated Woman was placed on the Weena in April 1984 on the occasion of the eightieth birthday of the now world-famous artist Willem de Kooning, who was born in Rotterdam. As the name suggests, Seated Woman a highly abstracted representation of a woman. The model for the statue was created in 1970, but this version – the third to be cast from the model – was made in 1980. The statue was purchased as a tribute to the artist by the city of Rotterdam. It was placed on the initiative of the then director of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Mr. Wim Beeren. He found the Boijmans Van Beuningen Foundation, a number of sponsors and the Municipality of Rotterdam willing to provide money to purchase this work of art. It reportedly cost around one million guilders; a relatively small amount for a work of this size and by an artist who was already world-famous during his lifetime. De Kooning was one of the representatives of American 'abstract expressionism' and painted abstract paintings since the 1950s, in which monumental and expressively painted women appear. In addition to the landscape, women form his central theme. De Kooning did not idealize his women, but the expressive power of expression is paramount. His Seated Woman even has an extra pair of limbs to enhance this expression. De Kooning only began creating sculptures later in life. He considered his sculptures, which he initially sculpted, as three-dimensional painting. He saw the clay as thick paint. His irregularly shaped figures seem to emerge in an energetic outburst. Due to the renovations and redevelopment of the Hofplein, Seated Woman, Reclining Figure en Standing Figure Temporarily stored. In 2027, the statues will be returned to the green Hofplein. For more information: Sculpture International Rotterdam
Originally from Rotterdam artist Willem de Kooning (Rotterdam, 1904 - Springs, New York, 1997) became one of the most famous representatives of the then new Abstract Expressionism in America in the 1950s. In those years he initially made large abstract paintings with expressive paint gestures. At the end of the sixties he started making sculptures. He made approximately 25 of these large bronze female figures, three of which are in Rotterdam. After his death, the Rotterdam art academy was renamed Willem de Kooning Academy in 1998.
