Sibylle - sculpture by Fernand Khnopff (1894)
JULY 6TH, 2026
The Belgian painter and sculptor Fernand Khnopff, described by writer Marie-Madeleine Renauld as a master of symbolism who "...took his inspiration from Pre-Raphaelite aesthetics" and "left an enduring influence on renowned artists such as Gustav Klimt and René Magritte," is on my shortlist of favorite artists thanks to his luminous, mystical portrayals of women.
I selected his sublime sculpture "Sibylle" from 1894 as the cover image for the PD Art Portal folders here, because it's my all-time favorite of his works. It brings me great joy. I never tire of gazing at it.
One source claims the sculpture was "probably destroyed in WWII." I have not been able to verify this claim.
I don't suppose there are any replicas of this piece out there in the world, but let it be known that if there were, and if I had the means, I'd be keenly interested in acquiring one.
Even a high-res image, which I haven't been able to find, would be deeply appreciated.
Sources:
- Heidelberg University Library
- His Marmoreal Calm (Tumblr)
- DBNL (in Dutch)
- WikiArt - title is listed as "Standing Woman" (likely an error)
The Public Domain Art Portal is a gentle open-ended daily inquiry into the placement of human attention, and an affirmation of enduring forms of value. Read more about our curation-by-slowcore-ethos in our An Intro to the Public Domain Art Portal.
What do you notice when you give sustained attention to the art?
