The artwork titled “Plaster Statuette of a Male Torso,” created by Vincent van Gogh in 1886, is an oil painting on cardboard. It measures 35 by 27 cm and belongs to the Realism art movement, classified under the genre of still life. This piece is housed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
In “Plaster Statuette of a Male Torso,” van Gogh meticulously depicts a fragmented classical sculpture of a male torso set against a textured, monotone background. The painting focuses on the interplay of light and shadow on the plaster surface, showcasing the figure’s defined musculature and poised stance. The artist employs bold, expressive brushstrokes to bring depth and dimensionality to the painting, enhancing the lifelike quality of the plaster. The background, rendered in a muted blue hue, contrasts starkly with the white of the statuette, drawing the viewer’s attention to the intricate details of the torso while emphasizing the timeless beauty of classical form.
