Marmeren standbeeld van een vrouwelijk naakt met gedrapeerde doek om het lichaam c. 1878 - 1881

This is a photograph by Louis-Emile Durandelle of a marble statue of a nude woman with drapery, made in the late 19th century. Marble has always been prized for its smooth texture, workability, and the way it seems to glow with an inner light. Carving it is a slow process of removal, requiring intense concentration, physical strength, and refined skill. The status of this activity is interesting; the job could be understood as skilled labor or as high art. The result is undeniably impressive, but we should also remember the amount of work involved. Durandelle's photograph itself is a fascinating document of this labor. It freezes the statue in time, but also hints at the many hands that were involved in its creation. So, next time you see a marble sculpture, take a moment to consider not only its beauty, but also the material, and the means of production that made it possible. In doing so, we can expand our understanding of art history, by challenging traditional distinctions between high art and craft.