Woman Leaning on a Column c. 1929 - 1969

Editor: This intriguing sculpture, "Woman Leaning on a Column" by Jacques Lipchitz, appears to be made of plaster. Its rough surface suggests a process of molding and shaping. What can you tell me about the materiality and its role in this piece? Curator: The plaster, in its rawness, speaks volumes about the artist’s process. Lipchitz isn’t trying to hide the labor involved. The visible texture highlights a direct engagement with the material, blurring the lines between the conceptual and the physical act of making. Editor: So, the process itself becomes part of the art's message? Curator: Precisely. The choice of plaster, its accessibility and malleability, democratizes the artistic process, challenging traditional notions of high art that valorize precious materials and refined techniques. Considering the social context, how might the use of such materials reflect the economic realities of the time? Editor: That's a great point! It makes me think differently about the intention behind the work. Curator: Indeed, by focusing on the material and the means of production, we gain a deeper understanding of the work's meaning within its historical and social context.