Hoofd op sokkel (Head on Base)

Name: Hoofd op sokkel (Head on Base)
Brand: Lizzeny
Availability: LimitedAvailability

A bronze sculpture head by Dutch artist Mari Andriessen on a stone base, displayed in a glass case at the Holland Heritage gallery. - view 1

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Uncommon (5/10)

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QUICK FACTS

DESCRIPTION

A cast bronze portrait head with a dark patina, mounted on a square stone pedestal. The sculpture is executed in an expressive, representational style, characteristic of the work of Dutch artist Mari Andriessen. The surface is textured, intentionally retaining the marks of the original clay model, and the subject's expression is somber and introspective.

CULTURAL ECHOES

Where This Object Echoes

20th Century European Figurative Sculpturec. 1945-1980

This work aligns with the post-war tradition of expressive realism seen in artists like Giacomo Manzù (Italy) and Elisabeth Frink (UK), who focused on the human form to convey psychological states.

Roman Portrait Busts1st Century BC - 4th Century AD

The format—a realistic head on a pedestal—is a direct descendant of ancient Roman portraiture, which aimed to capture the character and likeness of individuals, often for commemorative purposes.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

•The creation of portrait busts serves as a modern ritual of commemoration, honoring an individual's likeness and legacy for posterity, much like painted portraits.
•Collecting fine art sculpture is a cultural practice involving appreciation of form, artist's skill, and historical context, often displayed prominently in a home or office.

Meaning Through Time

Roman Empire

Portrait busts symbolized power, lineage, and public service, displayed in homes and public forums to assert status.

Renaissance

Busts were revived to celebrate the 'modern' individual, honoring humanists, rulers, and financiers as paragons of virtue and intellect.

Post-WWII

For artists like Andriessen, the portrait head often became a vessel for expressing universal human conditions like contemplation and resilience, rather than just individual status.

HISTORICAL STORY

Mari Andriessen (1897-1979) was a prominent Dutch sculptor, most famous for his poignant Post-WWII monuments like 'De Dokwerker' (The Dockworker) in Amsterdam. His figurative works often explore themes of human suffering, resilience, and dignity, reflecting the Dutch experience of his time. This ...

DID YOU KNOW?

The artist, Mari Andriessen, created one of the Netherlands' most iconic WWII memorials, 'De Dokwerker' (The Dockworker) in Amsterdam, an emblem of resistance.

Andriessen belonged to a group of Dutch artists known as 'De Groep' (The Group), who championed figurative art in an era when abstraction was becoming dominant.

MATERIAL & CONDITION

Surface

Textured cast bronze with a dark, matte to low-sheen patina. The surface shows the artist's modeling, with visible grooves and deliberately uneven planes.

Weight & Feel

Substantial and heavy. Cast bronze of this size combined with a solid stone base would likely weigh between 10-20 kilograms (22-44 lbs).

Condition

The piece is presented in a gallery setting and appears to be in excellent condition with a stable patina. There is no visible damage, loss, or repair.