Sketch of Seeds,
2020
Adéle du Plessis
Painting : tempera
60 x 50 x 2 cm 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$1,445
One of the last works available by this artist
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About the artwork
Type
Unique work
Signature
Hand-signed by artist
Authenticity
Sold with certificate of Authenticity from the gallery
Invoice from the gallery
Dimensions cm • inch
60 x 50 x 2 cm 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch Height x Width x Depth
Support
Framing
Dark blue floater frame
Artwork dimensions including frame
65 x 55 x 5 cm 25.6 x 21.7 x 2 inch
Tags
Artwork sold in perfect condition
Artwork location: Netherlands
"Sketch of Seeds" by Adéle du Plessis is a contemporary tempera painting that embodies her signature style of blending traditional techniques with modern interpretations. This painting is part of her "Drawn at Home" series, where she creates larger canvases based on quick sketches of everyday household items. The series, and this painting in particular, serves as a playful exploration of the philosophical questions surrounding the nature and value of art, specifically referencing Plato's Mimesis theory.
In "Sketch of Seeds," du Plessis uses a monochrome palette with a limited range of colours, primarily focusing on shades of blue, red, and light green. A very specific shade of blue-green, that Adéle believes in always part of any masterpiece, no matter the century it was painted in. The simplicity of the colour scheme mimics the effect of a pencil sketch, emphasizing the lines and forms over detailed colour work. This technique is a nod to traditional sketching, yet the use of tempera paint elevates the sketch into a more formal and lasting medium. The texture of the painting, with visible brushstrokes and a rough surface, adds depth and interest, making the viewer consider the process of creation as much as the final product.
The subject of the painting, a simple cluster of seeds, is rendered with a delicate balance between abstraction and representation. The seeds and their stems seem to be outlined in bold, confident lines, yet when one comes to look closely you can see the same technique of shading used, as the Impressionists. the forms are softened by the subtle variations in color and texture. This approach highlights du Plessis's ability to find beauty and artistic potential in mundane objects, challenging the viewer to reconsider what is worthy of being depicted in art.
Philosophically, the painting engages with Plato's critique of art as mere imitation, devoid of true knowledge. By choosing a common, everyday object and rendering it with care and attention, du Plessis suggests that even the simplest subjects can carry deep significance and beauty. Her work thus becomes a rebuttal to Plato's dismissal of art, asserting that the process of seeing and interpreting the world through art can reveal truths and insights that pure rationality might overlook.
The historical and critical context provided by Dutch art historian Wouter Maas further enriches our understanding of "Sketch of Seeds." Maas's analysis of du Plessis's "Sketch of a Teabag" (2020) parallels the themes seen in this painting, reinforcing the artist's ongoing exploration of the intersections between technique, medium, and subject matter. By situating her work within these broader philosophical and artistic debates, du Plessis invites viewers to engage with her paintings on multiple levels, appreciating both their aesthetic qualities and the thoughtful commentary they offer on the nature of art itself.
In summary, "Sketch of Seeds" by Adéle du Plessis is a visually engaging and intellectually stimulating work that challenges traditional notions of what constitutes valuable art. Through her innovative blending of sketching techniques and tempera painting, and her thoughtful engagement with philosophical ideas, du Plessis creates a piece that is both beautiful and thought-provoking, inviting viewers to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.
About the seller
Professional art gallery • Netherlands
Artsper seller since 2019
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Presentation
Adéle du Plessis
The Artist Sheet of Adéle du Plessis. Let us get to meet the lady behind the art.
Who is she artistically?
She is a Painter and sculptor, or wherever the creative process takes her. Found Cities 2017 is a good example of an intersection of her different creative talents.
What is her style?
Broad brush strokes with a lot of texture. Colourful, interplay between pastels and saturated primary colours. Dreamer 2018 is a great example of her use of pastels and Museum Café Groningen 2017 a great example of her use of saturated colours and broad brush strokes.
Why is her style special?
Her work is easy to look at, explores art history through your own technique as well as researching small details of life that are distilled pieces of a greater emotion or life. The style is also familiar to many and painted in the style of Expressionist and Impressionist from the 20th century.
Museum Café Groningen 2017 combines her own life as an artist, an art lover, Art History, art institutions and the art community in one picture. She has a beautiful way of creating meta view of the world and art in small moments captured in painting.
What are your qualifications as an artist?
Studied Art at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, been making art for more than 30 years. Will paint anything from walls, to tables, to body casts to floors. The painting process is always ongoing.
Du Plessis is inspired by the world she lives in and her technique reflecting what she has absorbed. An example hereof is her Stained Glass piece which she created after her trip to Reims, France.
What does your art mean to you?
Art allows for small fragments of yourself that does not conjunct with society and it needs a voice, art gives it a language. Creating art settles mind and spirit. Finally the unsaid is given a voice.
In 2012, Du Plessis did an exercise in loosening creative energy and in retrospect also tapping into the subconscious. Her Unnamed painting was the culmination of a process of hundreds of art work on paper. It was a constant process with varying results on stack and stacks of roughly A3 paper and finally this painting.
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