Sculpture 'Then and now' by Pol Spilliaert, Belgium, 2001-2003

This sculpture 'Toen en Nu' ('Then and Now', 2001-2003) by Pol Spilliaert (1935-2023) came out of the personal collection of the artist. The work is made of plaster and it's an abstract and quite rigid depiction of a couple in a loving embrace. The image is sober and at the same time full of expression. The interplay between abstract lines and more organic shapes make this piece a typical piece in Spilliaerts oeuvre. Spilliaert made this work after a 6 month period of illness, followed by travels to Japan and Saintes in France. On the last trip, where he studied Roman art pieces, the ideas for works like 'The Swing' (De Schommel) and 'Then and now' started flowing again. There's a fine hairline of a crack on on of the right hand edges and a few restorations were made on the base but overall it's in a good condition. The use of paint on the work seems to be intentional. Spilliaert also made another version in stone of this work. There also exists a bronze version of the same work.