Reliëf met bladranken en een gezicht, gebeeldhouwd door Jean Herman before 1880

This plaster relief with foliage and a face was sculpted by Jean Herman, with credit to Charles Claesen. Plasterwork like this was often intended for architectural settings, lending a touch of classical grandeur to interiors. But don't let the apparently effortless curves fool you. Plasterwork is incredibly labor-intensive. First, a design is conceived, then a mold is created, often in sections. Finally, the plaster is cast and carefully finished by hand. Consider the contrast between the original intention of plaster and the work involved. Historically, plaster décor was specified by architects, as a way to ornament the buildings they designed for wealthy patrons. But it was made by teams of skilled artisans. This tension between artistic vision and manual work raises important questions about creativity, labor, and class. Looking closely at works like this helps us consider how fine art and craft intersect in the social and economic realities of their production.