De Hoop 1800 - 1900

Eugène Lacomblé created this plaster sculpture, titled 'De Hoop', whose date is unknown. The sculpture immediately presents a study in contrasts through form and texture. The figure's upper body and face are rendered with careful attention to detail. This is set against the lower section, dominated by heavy drapery and a more rough-hewn texture. There is a tension between the individual and the symbolic, where detail meets abstraction. The figure herself is caught in a moment of reflection or anticipation, her gaze directed upwards, which creates a sense of movement within the static medium of plaster. Lacomblé employs semiotic codes through the cross that the figure is wearing which is echoed in the anchor she is holding, traditionally representing hope. The base grounds the figure firmly, but its roughly textured surface provides a subtle visual dissonance. This tension plays a crucial role in the sculpture's reception. Lacomblé creates a dialogue between detail and abstraction. This dialogue opens up a space for contemplation beyond mere representation. The sculpture becomes an active site for interpretation.