Sculptuur van drie vrouwen, vermoedelijk Sappho, door Leopold Borbone before 1859

This photograph captures a sculpture of three women, possibly Sappho, made by Leopold Borbone, and photographed by Grillet jeune. The sculpture is made in the Neoclassical style, which looked back to ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration, particularly in its clean lines, idealized forms, and a restrained emotional quality. The crispness of the photograph allows us to appreciate the texture of the probable marble from which the sculpture was carved. We can imagine the sculptor’s hand carefully chiseling away at the stone, revealing the figures within. In the Neoclassical period, the act of sculpting, particularly in marble, was a highly esteemed craft, demanding years of training and skill. The smooth surfaces and subtle gradations of light and shadow further emphasize the technical mastery required to bring such a sculpture to life. This photograph prompts us to reflect on the value of craftsmanship, and the labor involved in creating objects of beauty, challenging any rigid distinction between art and craft.