Walking Malayan Couple 1921

This is Svend Rathsack's 'Walking Malayan Couple', a sculpture. It's made of plaster, and seeing the marks of the artist's process in the finished work is really interesting. I love how the tactile quality of the plaster invites you to imagine the artist’s hands at work. The surface isn't polished or smooth; it's rough, almost like the figures have emerged directly from the earth. Looking closely, especially around the draped clothing, you can see the traces of the tools Rathsack used. These marks aren’t hidden; they’re part of the story. It’s like the artist is saying, “Here’s how it was made.” The way the figures stand so close, almost merging into one, reminds me of the work of Ernst Barlach. Both artists share a deep understanding of form and material, using their sculptural language to explore universal themes of humanity and connection.