ALLEGORICAL FIGURE

Historical and artistic context

This impressive white marble sculpture by Jef Lambeaux (1852–1908) presents a standing nude female figure, holding a jar delicately in her right hand while her left arm supports a headdress composed of fruits. The work follows the academic traditions of the late 19th century but already reveals the sculptor’s highly personal style, blending anatomical precision with dramatic presence. Lambeaux, one of Belgium’s most dynamic sculptors, was celebrated for his ability to infuse classical themes with vitality, sensuality, and movement—qualities that are clearly visible in this piece.

The modelling of the figure demonstrates Lambeaux’s remarkable technical mastery. The torso and limbs are rendered with anatomical fidelity, the muscles and skin treated with a subtle realism that contrasts with the stylised details of the hair and the headdress. The flowing strands of hair echo the vertical rhythm of the composition, cascading along her back and down her legs, uniting the entire figure in a continuous movement. This harmony of line reflects the sculptor’s fascination with motion, even in works devoted to allegory.

The surface of the marble is polished to a luminous finish, creating a striking contrast with the rougher treatment of the base. The botanical motifs at the figure’s feet, carved with great precision, symbolically connect the female body to the fertility of the earth. The headdress of fruits—grapes, apples, and pears—further reinforces this allegorical theme of abundance and harvest. Yet, despite the abundance of detail, the sculpture avoids heaviness: the balance of volumes and the serene expression of the model imbue the figure with grace and timeless calm.

Through this Allegorical Figure, Lambeaux demonstrates not only his technical virtuosity in marble carving but also his ability to renew academic conventions. The sculpture embodies the duality that defines much of his work: a tension between sensuality and restraint, between natural detail and symbolic meaning. By combining refined execution with expressive force, Lambeaux elevated a traditional allegorical subject into a masterpiece of Belgian academic sculpture at the second half of 19th-century.

Literature

• VERBRAEKEN, P.(2017) Living Marble. Antwerp: Immpact nv, p. 56 & p. 59.

• EYLENBOSCH, A. (1990).Jef Lambeaux ou les passions d’un faune.Saint-Gilles: Satori, p. 14.

• BENEZIT E. Dictionnaire critique et documentaire des peintres, sculpteurs, dessinateurs et graveurs. Nouvelle édition. Librairie Gründ, 1976. 10 volumes, Tome6 p399.

• PIRON P. Dictionnaire des artistes plasticiens de Belgique des XIXe et XXe siècles. Editions Art in Belgium, Ohain-Lasne, 2003, 2 volumes, Tome2 p16.