IGOR MITORAJ "ASKLEPIOS"

In the figure of Asklepios, the god of medicine and healer, Mitoraj has included his typical play with classical form and existential content. The smooth, idealized face bears traces of cracks - as if the healing process symbolized by Asklepios involved not only the body, but also the soul and memory.

The body of the god here is almost ascetic, devoid of splendor. It is a metaphor for inner strength rather than bodily strength. A subtle patina adds depth to the sculpture, evoking the impression of an artifact excavated from the ruins of time - a timeless witness to human endeavors for harmony and balance.

Mitoraj does not show the healer as a triumphant figure, but as a figure of reverie - a presence that heals by being present itself.