Standing Figure (1969) is one of three sculptures by Willem de Kooning that the city is rich in. The work forms a unity with two other sculptures: Seated Woman (1969) in Reclining Figure (1969). In the late 1960s, he began experimenting with modeling clay. De Kooning saw working with clay as three-dimensional painting. He created his sculptures, just like his paintings, in a spontaneous movement without sketches or preliminary studies. He modeled these sculptures with three pairs of gloves on top of each other, because he found his own hands too small. He did not consider modeling to be an essentially different activity from painting; he saw clay as thick paint. The way he worked can be read from the cast. The limbs of rolls of clay, which are attached to the kneaded torso, the cup-shaped impressions of a thumb, even the enlarged fingerprints, which are outlined in the bronze skin, can all be related to the human hand. The lively dark patina with which the bronze is finished, reinforces the reflections on the curves of the sculpture. Standing Figure and Reclining Figure have been on loan from the Willem De Kooning Foundation since 2005. Before that, the works were in Boston. Seated Woman is owned by the city. Due to the work 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.
Standing Figure (1969) is one of three sculptures by Willem de Kooning that the city is rich in. The work forms a unity with two other sculptures: Seated Woman (1969) in Reclining Figure (1969). In the late 1960s, he began experimenting with modeling clay. De Kooning saw working with clay as three-dimensional painting. He created his sculptures, just like his paintings, in a spontaneous movement without sketches or preliminary studies. He modeled these sculptures with three pairs of gloves on top of each other, because he found his own hands too small. He did not consider modeling to be an essentially different activity from painting; he saw clay as thick paint. The way he worked can be read from the cast. The limbs of rolls of clay, which are attached to the kneaded torso, the cup-shaped impressions of a thumb, even the enlarged fingerprints, which are outlined in the bronze skin, can all be related to the human hand. The lively dark patina with which the bronze is finished, reinforces the reflections on the curves of the sculpture. Standing Figure and Reclining Figure have been on loan from the Willem De Kooning Foundation since 2005. Before that, the works were in Boston. Seated Woman is owned by the city. Due to the work 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.
