Naiad in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium

myminifactory

The main shopping street in the center of Sint-Niklaas is the Stationsstraat. In November 2013, a major renovation gave seven images by three artists new prominence on the Stationsstraat. This street offers more than just a place to shop; it also provides an opportunity for pampering in various ways. While some people may glance at the windows and ignore the artwork, others will surely be drawn in as art lovers. Naiad is one of Alphonse Darville's early works. The title "Naiad" refers to the name "Naiades," which means water nymphs in Greek mythology. In her right hand, Naiad holds a shell that represents her origin. Darville has a deep love for classicism and made his debut with it. He later evolved into contemporary design through expressionism and surrealism, always staying true to himself. Besides being a draftsman and designer of medals, Darville is also a sculptor who challenges the viewer with his varied creations, having a dimension of Roman austerity. In his pursuit of absolute beauty, pure form, and balance between them, he transcends any materialistic notion of figuration or non-figuration. As director of the Charleroi academy, he knew Charles Mechiels, former director of the Academy Sint-Niklaas, and befriended him. Because of this friendship, Darville learned about the initiative to bring art to the city and deeply appreciated it. He suggested not only the plaster "Naiad" but also the marble statue "Adolescent" (Salon of Fine Arts) and the bas-relief 'Medallion' (AZ Nicholas) be made available at Art in the City association. Alphonse Darville was a sculptor, artist, medalist, and ceramist born in Mont-sur-Marchienne. He received his training at the Academy in Brussels from 1924 to 1928 and studied under Victor Rousseau. Darville was also a student of other notable artists. As a founder and director (1946-1972) of the Academy in Charleroi, he played a significant role in shaping the artistic community there. He co-founded "L'Art vivant au Pays de Charleroi" and his work can be found in museums across Liège, Mons, and Charleroi. Darville's monumental sculptures have been published in official mandates, including the "Architect" which adorns the facade of the Palace of Fine Arts in Charleroi. He received notable awards such as the "Godecharle" in 1931 and the "Rome Prize" in 1935 for his work "Torse de jeune fille" (Palace of Fine Arts, Charleroi). This object is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory. We are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the world for public access at no cost. Scan the World is an open-source community effort. We would love to have you contribute to this project! If you have interesting items nearby and want to help, please email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can be involved.