The Grape Pickers at Musée Zadkine, Paris, France

myminifactory

Zadkine left this work in his studio garden on Rue d'Assas for a period of time alongside other wood sculptures, which explains why its upper section is severely damaged. The figures depicted on the log surface are arranged in continuous curves and counter-curves around its entire circumference, embracing its forms perfectly. This piece, retaining its Slavic undertones - notably the stylization of almond eyes - is characteristic of a taste for the primitive that modern artists adopted and reinterpreted constantly after Gauguin. In some respects, it also echoes Roman art. The "pagan" theme of harvesting and dance has been extensively explored by modern artists, with Matisse being one notable example. This work draws inspiration from the ancient tradition of wood and stone carvers who, having left the forest, unleashed their imagination on fantastical birds and large tree trunks as Zadkine wrote in his memoirs. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory to create 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 where anyone can contribute interesting items and get in touch with stw@myminifactory.com to learn how they can help.