Figure découpée Sculpture

Amidst the vibrant green expanse of Vondelpark stands a towering figure, a concrete enigma known as Figure découpée. But locals affectionately call it “The Fish”. This imposing sculpture, reaching almost 6 meters high, dominates its surroundings. Figure découpée is a testament to the genius of Pablo Picasso, though its creation is shrouded in a fascinating tale of collaboration and artistic interpretation. Figure découpée was a gift from Picasso to Amsterdam in 1965, commemorating Vondelpark’s centenary. It was created for an exhibition showcasing international sculptors, curated by Willem Sandberg, the then-director of the Stedelijk Museum. The story goes that Picasso donated Figure découpée as a symbol of his friendship with Sandberg. However, the actual construction of Figure découpée involved another artist, Carl Nesjar. Picasso designed a small-scale model from sheet metal, but Nesjar, a Norwegian artist known for his “betograve” sculpting technique, brought the monumental vision to life. This technique involved pouring white concrete into a mold packed with black stones. Once set, the concrete was sandblasted along Picasso’s lines, revealing the dark gravel beneath. The result is the striking black and white contrast we see today. Interestingly, while Picasso intended the sculpture to represent a bird (look closely and you can see the feet at the bottom), Amsterdammers have always seen a fish. This has led to its local nickname, “Picasso’s Fish statue”. Figure découpée stands as a unique blend of artistic collaboration, a testament to the vision of Picasso and the skill of Nesjar. Its ambiguous form, open to interpretation, adds another layer to the sculpture’s intrigue. So, next time you stroll through Vondelpark, take a moment to appreciate Figure découpée, a concrete puzzle that continues to fascinate and inspire. Is it a bird? Is it a fish? Perhaps it’s simply a masterpiece, inviting us to see art through our own eyes.