Ontwerp voor een penning (?) van gips met drie herten 1876 - 1947

This plaster piece by Lambertus Zijl presents three deer, and I wonder if he was toying with an idea for a medal or a coin? The texture of the gesso looks thick, with the ghostly outlines of the deer emerging from the surface, like figures from a dream. I imagine Zijl hunched over this small round, coaxing the animals from the plaster. He’s working fast, making decisive marks to capture their essence. It reminds me of other artists who have explored the animal form, from cave paintings to Picasso's bulls. I am curious about how artists keep returning to the same subjects across time, each bringing their own unique perspectives and techniques. It is like a visual conversation that transcends generations. Ultimately, this plaster piece invites us to contemplate the nature of creativity itself. It shows how artists are in an ongoing conversation with one another, inspiring new ways of seeing and thinking about the world around us.