CONFIDENTIALITY

Historical and artistic context

This bronze sculpture, with its brown patina and gold leaf highlights, depicts a group of three female figures. The fluid treatment of the draperies and the animated composition illustrate an approach that favours expressive modelling over academic rigour.

The three characters interact in an attitude of confidence and complicity: on the left, a young woman seated and leaning on a mass of foliage, her gaze turned toward the composition. In the centre, a slightly elevated female figure holds her garment with her left hand, revealing her chest, while her other arm reaches toward the first figure. She appears to be speaking. On the right, a third woman, slightly leaning forward, seems to listen or participate in the exchange, creating a visual and emotional link between the three protagonists.

The whole rests on a naturalistic base adorned with sculpted foliage, accentuating the organic character of the scene.

This sculpture was initially conceived as a fountain project for the city of Antwerp. It is in all likelihood a unique casting, executed using the lost-wax technique in Brussels by the Batardy foundry, renowned for the quality of its art castings.

The work illustrates the influence of sculptural impressionism, characterised by surfaces modelled with a certain freedom that captures the play of light on matter. This style, popularised by sculptors such as Auguste Rodin, is distinguished here by a pursuit of atmosphere and emotion rather than strict realism.

This work attests to Karel Schuermans’ talent in the field of impressionist and decorative sculpture of the early 20th century. Through its elegance and sensitive modelling, it fully belongs to the legacy of the great Belgian Symbolist and Impressionist sculptors of his era.