Summer 1780s

This is Nicolai Dajon’s “Summer”, a plaster sculpture currently housed in the SMK. Notice how the smooth, matte texture of the plaster lends a certain softness to the figure, contrasting with the sharp, defined lines of her facial features and the floral wreath crowning her head. Dajon uses classical forms to embody the essence of summer. The incomplete nature of the sculpture adds an interesting tension; the missing arms and fragmented base challenge our expectations of completeness and permanence. The subject becomes more about the idea of ‘summer’ rather than a literal representation. The sculpture engages with the tradition of allegorical representation, where abstract concepts are depicted through human figures. Dajon's work invites contemplation on the cyclical nature of seasons and the transient beauty of summer. The materiality and form remind us that art is not just a static object but a dynamic space for ongoing interpretation and cultural dialogue.