Liggend (Reclining) by Kyle Smith, Bronze Nude with Ponytail, Edition 2 of 9, 1999

Signed, Dated, and Numbered
Dimensions: 7" Wx 3.5" Dx 3.5" H
Patina: Dark Engraved Verdigris

A sensuous and introspective cast bronze by contemporary sculptor Kyle Smith, Liggend (Dutch for "Reclining") is a rare editioned figure executed in 1999, cast in bronze with an engraved verdigris patina, and bearing the artist's signature and edition number (#2 of 9). The stylized nude lies in a meditative pose, legs raised and arms folded behind the head, the curve of her back terminating in a minimalist ponytail"”an affectionate human detail within a dramatically abstracted form.

Smith's signature surface vocabulary is on full display here: deeply incised textures and gestural markings across the bronze's surface, accentuated by a complex patination that brings forth dark tones in relief and cool verdigris in the recessed areas. The result is at once archaeological and modern"”recalling timeworn relics, yet sharply contemporary in form and expression.

Liggend is part of Smith's larger conceptual and sculptural project exploring seated and reclining human forms. This work forms a thematic and formal dialogue with his public installation Sitting (Zittend)"”a monumental cast bronze currently exhibited in the Netherlands, widely circulated via art publications and online platforms. That sculpture, installed outdoors on a plinth, reflects a similar curvilinear abstraction and engraved surface, underscoring Smith's interest in bodily serenity, interiority, and sculptural rhythm. While Zittend presents an upright pose, Liggend is more introspective and vulnerable, suggesting themes of rest, privacy, and feminine embodiment.

Artist Biography
Kyle Smith is an American sculptor with formal training in the Netherlands, where he earned his master's in sculpture. His work is marked by a deep reverence for form and material, combining the biomorphic abstraction of mid-century European modernism with an intimate, engraved surface language. Smith's sculpture often engages with themes of identity, stillness, and presence, translating the human body into essential, tactile forms. His public works have been exhibited across sculpture gardens in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, where his Zittend series has gained recognition. Whether monumental or modest in scale, his bronzes are deeply emotive and materially rich"”crafted with the quiet intensity of a sculptor attuned to gesture and silence.

Smith's monumental Zittend sculptures in public collections have contributed to growing international recognition for his work. Liggend, cast in a rare edition of nine, is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a privately held example from this broader sculptural narrative. Comparable editioned bronzes with similar scale, craftsmanship, and public exhibitions.


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Good
Wear consistent with age and use.

Dimensions:
Height: 3.5 in.
Width: 7 in.
Depth: 3.5 in.

Category: Sculpture
Origin: Netherlands
Materials & Techniques: Bronze

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Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Good
Wear consistent with age and use.