The Foal (Het Veulen)

About this artwork.

Various pieces of art by artist Wladimir de Vries can be found in Groningen, including The Foal. This little brother to The Ome Loeks horse (Het peerd van Ome Loeks) is also called Little Loeks (Lutje Loeks). On a plinth, a graceful foal stands straight and proud. Nothing can be seen of the clumsiness of these young animals, which don't seem to know what to do with their long legs.

De Vries' working method can clearly be derived from the skin of the bronze statue. The artist made a model out of clay. He regularly applied small, flat balls the size of a ten cent piece to the model. This technique is therefore known as the “duplicate method”. The contours fade slightly and the play of light and shade comes to life.

There are various works of art by Wladimir de Vries in the city. The most famous are Agriculture and Livestock (Landbouw en Veeteelt) or Bare Bet (Blote Bet) on the Herebrug bridge, Bison (Wisent) in the Noorderplantsoen and this Foal (Veulen) on the Radesingel. His works – all figurative in nature – were created in the period from around 1950 to 1980. This was precisely the time when a predominant preference for abstract art began to emerge. But Wladimir de Vries continued to work in his original – traditional – style. De Vries' wilfulness also characterises his sculptures from which pride and well-being are expressed.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Wladimir de Vries

• District
  Centrum

• Year of creation
  1951

• Art type
  Freestanding sculpture

• Material
  Bronze

• Dimensions
  h 2,05 m; sokkel h 0,40 x b 1,45 x d 0,50 m