Ontwerp voor een standbeeld van Paulus Potter c. 1828 - 1905

This is Eugène Lacomblé's clay "Design for a statue of Paulus Potter." Clay is a humble material, one of the oldest and most accessible to humankind. Lacomblé likely worked this model quickly, building up the figure with an eye to the final bronze casting. The rough texture retains the marks of the artist's hand, visible in the folds of the clothing and the figure's posture, as if caught mid-stride. Modeling in clay involves a direct engagement with material, very different from carving. There’s an immediacy here. Unlike bronze, clay isn't valued for its preciousness, but for its capacity to capture a fleeting idea. This design has its own aesthetic value – a testament to the creative process that often goes unseen in finalized artworks. Looking at this clay model allows us to appreciate the artistry inherent not just in the final product, but in the exploratory, hands-on work that brings it to life.