Robert Wlerick L Offrande Analysis

The sculpture that I decided to reflect upon is L’Offrande (The Offering) by Robert Wlerick. The sculpture is situated in a grassy meadow area in between the academic buildings of Stein and Beaven. The scale of the piece seems to be larger than life. The proportions of the sculpture are larger than an average sized woman and appears almost like an Amazon woman. The Offering is representational and it depicts a nude woman sitting on a step. It appears the sculpture is made out of bronze and has been painted to protect the material from the weather. As I glided my hand across the back of the sculpture, it felt relatively smooth. The texture of the piece felt very natural because it reminded me of the qualities found in skin. The artist managed to create circular ridges that look like pores or the tiny dots
Wlerick manipulates the bronze to create pores into the skin of the woman and manages to carve out the various curves of the human body. Assuming from the title, the sculpture is depicting a woman offering herself sexually to her partner. The woman does not appear to be uncomfortable or showing any signs of vulnerability. She is nude rather naked because she looks relaxed and pleasant. The title seems a bit dramatic because I think of negative connotations when I think of The Offering. For example, I think of someone offering themselves against their will to a religious entity or offering themselves for money. In those instances, a person is usually uncomfortable or scarred. I would name the sculpture, Le Calme (The Calm) or La Paix (The Peace) because that is what I think the woman is feeling. I find it interesting that The Offering is one of three nude sculptures that are placed in the center of campus. I would not expect a catholic college to have nude sculptures of individuals dancing or relaxing around campus but it represents how open-minded the college