Badend meisje 1899

George Minne made this bronze sculpture, 'Bathing Girl,' using the lost wax casting method. This process involves creating a wax model, encasing it in a mold, melting out the wax, and then pouring molten bronze into the cavity. The sculpture’s material plays a vital role in its appearance. Bronze, with its inherent qualities of weight and durability, lends a sense of permanence to the figure. The artist's skilled manipulation of the wax allows for a high level of detail, evident in the subtle modeling of the girl’s body. The bronze casting process also allowed for editions of the sculpture to be made. This sculpture is a product of the industrial age, and the professionalization of sculpture. Yet its subject matter connects it to an older tradition of fine art. By considering the material, making, and social context, we can begin to understand the full meaning of this seemingly simple artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.