Wild Duck Taking Flight 1932

François Pompon made this white sculpture of a "Wild Duck Taking Flight" at some point in his career. It feels so immediate, like the duck is bursting forth in a moment of pure, unadulterated energy. Look at the way the duck's form contrasts with the geometric base. The rough surface of the base anchors the piece, creating this tension with the smooth, aerodynamic body of the duck. Pompon isn't trying to trick you into thinking this is a real duck, it's more of a feeling, the sensation of flight. For me, this piece has a kinship with the work of Constantin Brancusi, both artists had this knack for simplifying forms down to their essence. It shows that art isn't just about copying what we see, but about capturing something deeper, something more elusive.