Voorstudie van gips voor penning met buffels en paarden. 1876 - 1947

Lambertus Zijl made this plaster study for a medal with buffalos and horses at an unknown date. The piece, a circular bas-relief, presents a fascinating interplay of forms emerging from the material. The pale, chalky surface absorbs light, giving the image a ghostly, ethereal quality. Look closely, and you'll notice the subtle variations in texture, from the smooth planes of the horses' bodies to the rougher, more gestural treatment of the background. The artist’s fingerprints are almost visible. The way the forms are simplified and flattened reminds me of some ancient artifact. Consider the horse's legs: see how they're not perfectly defined, but rather suggested through subtle shifts in the plaster's surface. This ambiguity invites the viewer to actively participate in completing the image, engaging our imagination. Zijl is perhaps in conversation with artists like George Minne, who was also interested in representing human or animal forms with a particular tactile quality and emotional depth. Ultimately, this piece is not just a study but a captivating exploration of form, texture, and the evocative power of plaster.