Hans Arp

JEAN (HANS) ARP (Strasbourg, 1886- Basel, 1966).
"Sculpture d'une lettre, 1961.
Cement casting with limestone chips.
Work confirmed by the Arp Foundation and registered in the archive.
Provenance: Anthhoons Collection.
Measurements: 12 x 25 x 15 cm.
Bibliography:
Arie Hartog, ed, Hans Arp, Sculptures: A Critical Survey, Ostfildern, 2012, no. 250, pp. 171-172, illus.
"Sculpture d'une lettre," created in 1961, is an emblematic example of his interest in the fusion between matter and form, as well as in the poetic character of sculptural objects. Made in cement casting with limestone chips, the work reflects his exploration of the plasticity of materials and his search for a synthesis between the natural and the artificial. The choice of cement, an industrial material, suggests a dialogue with modernity, while the organic texture of limestone introduces a tactile and evocative dimension.
From a conceptual point of view, the title "Sculpture d'une lettre" suggests the abstraction of writing in its most essential form, reduced to a primordial sign or volume. This piece can be interpreted as part of Arp's interest in the relationship between language and form, where the letter ceases to be a mere linguistic symbol and becomes an autonomous sculptural object, with a fluid and rhythmic presence that refers to nature.
The importance of this work lies in its ability to synthesize the principles of modern sculpture: the simplification of forms, the exploration of volume and the integration of chance as a creative process. As in many of his sculptures, Arp does not seek figurative representation, but rather a pure expression of matter in space, where form flows with an almost organic dynamism.
Jean (Hans) Arp has been a pivotal figure in the development of abstract art and Dadaism, whose work explored the relationship between form, chance and nature. Born in Strasbourg, Arp was a multifaceted artist who worked in sculpture, painting, poetry and design, developing a visual language based on organic and biomorphic forms that challenged the traditional structures of art. His production evolved from Dadaist experimentation towards a lyrical and sculptural abstraction that influenced modern and contemporary art.
Throughout his career, Arp worked with avant-garde artists and movements such as Dadaism, Surrealism and Concrete Abstraction, leaving a legacy that influenced later generations of sculptors. His work remains fundamental in the history of 20th century art, not only for his contribution to abstract sculpture, but also for his poetic and philosophical approach to art.