A golden coquille

Coquille-cristal by Jean Arp is the first completely abstract work that Hammacher adds to the collection. The artist himself donates this bronze, biomorphic sculpture to the museum, thanks to the mediation of their mutual friend, the Belgian art critic Michel Seuphor.

Hammacher has known Seuphor since the 1930s. In his text Abstracte kunst in een onrustige wereld (Abstract art in a troubled world) from 1950, he makes a plea for the serious consideration and appreciation of both abstract and figurative art. Seuphor reacts enthusiastically to Hammacher’s publication and is moreover very sympathetic towards his plan to assemble a sculpture collection. The work by Arp should certainly be included.

Hammacher considers Arp to be one of the few artists making good abstract work at that time and sees Coquille-cristal as an important addition for the museum.