Buste van Dr. Petrus Josephus Hubertus Cuypers (1827-1921), architect 1912

This marble bust of Dr. Petrus Josephus Hubertus Cuypers was made by Toon Dupuis, but its exact date is unknown. Dupuis coaxes the stone into crisp folds of fabric, and a certain fuzziness around the hair and beard. There’s a wonderful contrast between the sharp lines of the jacket and the soft, organic textures of the face. I’m drawn to the hands, clasped with a kind of quiet energy. They're so expressive, and the dark accent of what looks like a button creates a focal point. The marble itself is alive, full of subtle variations that catch the light. Looking at it, I'm reminded of Rodin, another sculptor who understood how to capture the inner life of his subjects through the language of form and texture. Art is a conversation across time, after all, a constant reinterpretation of what it means to be human. What does it mean to you?