plastiek

Many people view Jan van der Vaart as the most important Dutch ceramicist of the twentieth century. His work is distinguished by its abstract geometric forms and the limited use of color. The bronze finish of these vases was one of his favorite glazes. Van der Vaart mastered the craft of pottery largely by himself. He was particularly interested in technique. He was not only good at throwing pottery, but also very accomplished at casting clay in molds. He made the plaster molds himself. This technique enabled him to create series of pottery, which meant that his work remained affordable and was accessible for more people. As well as these multiple pieces, Van der Vaart continued to make one-off items. His large, unique pieces, such as these sculptures, are composed of elements that were cast separately. The structure of cylinders and balls, the long neck and the tall base lend the vases a sculptural character, giving them the air of autonomous works. Vases or sculptures, this ensemble has the charm of a composition of primitive figures. It comes as no surprise that one of Van der Vaart’s passions was collecting ethnographic art.