Reclining Woman (Liggende vrouw)

About this artwork.

Ludwig Oswald Wenckebach trained at the applied arts school in Haarlem from 1913 to 1915 and continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. This academy emphasised the anatomy of the human body in its lessons, with weekly visits to the operating theatre of the local hospital. Initially, Wenckebach created two-dimensional works such as woodcuts, etchings, lithographs and paintings. But from 1927 he concentrated on sculpting. Early classical sculpture from the 5th century BC was his main source of inspiration. In 1934 he took a short tour of Greece. Shortly thereafter the Reclining Woman sculpture was created.

Classical influence is present in the Reclining Woman: the body parts are smooth and well proportioned. Her features are serene and idealised. But the woman's pose is by no means classical. Her head rests uncomfortably on her arm, and the legs and back are twisted slightly, causing the body to give off a certain tension.

In 1954 Reclining Woman was part of a sculpture exhibition in the Stadspark as part of the 340th anniversary of the University of Groningen. Following the proposal of the Arts Council, the city of Groningen decided to purchase the statue. Initially it was placed opposite the Talmahuis on Merwedestraat. In 1964, following several instances of vandalism, the municipality decided that the statue should be placed in a quiet location. Since then, the statue has been on display at the Selwerd cemetery.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Ludwig Oswald Wenckebach

• District
  Zernike

• Year of creation
  1934

• Art type
  Freestanding sculpture

• Material
  Limestone (euville)

• Dimensions
  h 1,10 m