Castings: Originally cast in an edition of six, after which Theresia van der Pant cast and patinated an additional six. One of the penguins is in the collection of Kasteel Het Nijenhuis in Heino, part of Museum De Fundatie in Zwolle.
Provenance: Distinguished private collection, Amsterdam, acquired through inheritance
Literature: R. van der Linden, R. van Put, ‘Theresia van der Pant, Beeldhouwster/Sculptress.’, Amsterdam 1989, p. 17, Illustrated • Floris van der Pant, Joost Bergman, Lien Heyting, ‘Theresia van der Pant’, The Haque 2026, pp. 31,37,72,97, no. 61, Illustrated
Exhibition: Museum Beelden aan Zee, The Hague: ‘Theresia van der Pant’, Jan 16 – May 3 2026
Was for sale / Sold
From 1962 onward, Theresia van der Pant fully embraced the penguin as a subject. This resident of Artis Zoo carries its full body on legs that are so short the bird almost seems to consist of a single compact, closed mass—an idea Van der Pant sought to emphasize further by carving a version in hardstone that is as subtle as it is solid. The conviction emanating from this sculpture led her to create another version in plaster for the bronze foundry. About this, art historian José Boyens wrote:
“One does not find such a flat, square chest, such a weakened wing, while the other wing—toward which the alert head turns—emerges from the body with a modest elan. In this asymmetry, the sculptor seeks to express the penguin’s humor. In the raised beak and the watchful eye lies the attention for the other members of the group. The slightly lifted foot stands for the care of the young. For that purpose, the chest also broadens and rises, like a shield.”
This interpretation touches on the creative way in which Van der Pant reshaped reality according to her own vision and style. At the same time, the sculpture evokes associations with the traditions from which she emerged. The heron carved in ivory by Johan Altorf, for example, has a similarly idiosyncratic presence, and the owl by her teacher Oscar Jespers is equally closed and expressive.
In 1963, Van der Pant participated with this sculpture in the Artis exhibition *Beestewerk*, which consisted of submissions for a competition organized by the zoo on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. In the category of professional artists, she was awarded first prize.
