Fragment van de Oranjeboom 1874

This is "Fragment van de Oranjeboom", a plaster piece created by Frans Stracké. Its stark whiteness and modest size invite close examination. The object's form is deceptively simple, reminiscent of a rough-hewn section of wood, yet its smooth texture betrays its plaster composition. This interplay between form and material is crucial. Stracké presents us with a fragment, a part standing for a whole, inviting us to consider what is missing. Is it merely a section of a tree, or does it symbolize something greater, like a lost history or a broken heritage? The use of plaster, a medium often associated with reproduction, adds another layer of complexity, suggesting a copy of something real. The fragment challenges our understanding of authenticity. What is real, and what is merely a representation? This simple object prompts us to consider the relationships between objects, memory, and meaning.