Figure découpée, Abstract sculpture in Vondelpark, Netherlands
Figure découpée is an abstract concrete sculpture with a stylized bird form located in Vondelpark. The surface displays fine patterns created by a specialized sandblasting technique, and the form features spread wings with its head pointing right and feet positioned below.
Picasso designed the original wooden model in 1958, which was later adapted by Norwegian artist Carl Nesjar. Nesjar transformed the form into concrete in 1965 using the bétongravure technique, an innovative method that carved the design into the material.
The sculpture came from a partnership between Picasso and Nesjar that explored new ways of casting concrete for public spaces. This collaboration helped establish techniques that influenced how artists approached monumental works afterward.
The sculpture sits in a readily accessible location within Vondelpark and can be viewed from multiple pathways. Visitors can observe the surface details and overall form from various angles, which helps clarify how the abstract bird design functions as a three-dimensional object.
Only three versions of this work exist worldwide, with the Amsterdam edition being the largest. This limitation makes each version special, as Picasso rarely authorized monumental reproductions of his designs.
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