Cork in Sculpture

The versatility of cork truly is remarkable. Many know it for bulletin boards, wine stoppers and even cork flooring however did you know this naturally sustainable material was used in the 1880s & 1890s in famous sculptures by artist Edgar Degas? X-rays of these sculptures show pieces of cork in the base and, in some sculptures, wine corks were used in the head of horses. Wax would then cover the cork but the cork itself helps with the support, texture and shape the artist wanted to achieve.

 

 These sculptures are on display at the National Museum of Art in Washington, D.C.