Amatøren. Danserinde 1935 - 1939

H.P. Pedersen-Dan made this bronze sculpture, Amatøren. Danserinde, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. Look at the way that light glints on its surface! The material is so present here, isn't it? You can see how Pedersen-Dan worked the malleable bronze to conjure a sense of movement and lightness. The sculpture isn't trying to trick us into thinking it's real; instead, it celebrates the beauty of its own materiality. The dress that the dancer holds is particularly striking, with its heavy folds transformed into something so elegant. I love the rough texture of the base, it contrasts so beautifully with the smooth, polished surface of the dancer's body and clothes. It almost reminds me of Degas' sculptures, where he similarly captured fleeting moments with such sensitivity. Art is always a conversation, a dance between artists across time. And like any conversation, it's full of surprises and unexpected turns.