Our art academy is a unique school in the Netherlands
Figura teaches you figurative sculpture through methods derived from classical sculpture programs.
Students in our sculpture program work from live models, learning to sculpt the human figure from a structural, gestural and anatomical standpoint. The program emphasizes the development of observational skills.
Meet our founder
Sanne van Tongeren is a sculptor and a scholar of ancient Greek and Latin. She held a teaching position at The Florence Academy of Art in Italy. In 2018 she started her own school in Amsterdam: Figura, Dutch Academy of Figurative Sculpture. Though her work enters into dialogue with the old masters, her sculptures are contemporary.
Her figures and portraits emanate strength, but also quietude: ‘Sculpture is not photography. Portraits don’t portray a moment captured, but are rather a visualisation of time.’
‘My fascination with human motion is closely entwined with my fascination for music and dance; and because I cannot dance, I sculpt.’
At Figura, we believe observation is of the highest importance. That’s why we work predominantly from live models, and that’s why we take the necessary time to practice various observation techniques. Through observation we practice drawing in space, which is the very nature of sculpture.
Our method
"Drawing in space" refers to our teaching method developed by Sanne’s teacher and former director of The Florence Academy of Art, Robert Bodem. Robert Bodem makes the complex challenge of depicting the human figure in clay as simple as possible with a powerful method he developed over 20 years.
An impressive number of Robert’s former students have learned this method, have become renowned artists and are spreading the knowledge worldwide. Sanne took on the task to bring this training to The Netherlands.
Read more about the method and how our director Sanne van Tongeren brought it to the Netherlands: https://www.bu.edu/cfa/magazine/articles/2023/drawing-in-space/
Location
Our academy is easy to reach by public transport. 30 min from Amsterdam Central Station, 13 min from the nearest train station, 7 min from the nearest tram stop.
Figura is accomodated in one of the first elementary schools (1957) on the West side of Amsterdam. Nowadays the building is turned into HW10, an artist community, hosting illustrators, wood workers, architects, photographers, dancers, mime actors and sculptors.
Figura is delighted to offer its visitors and course participants the opportunity to explore the surrounding green area and the lake with its cozy bars and theatre.
What our students say:
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Hoewel de opleiding best technisch is, ben ik enthousiast om nu met die technieken uitdrukking te geven aan wat er in me zit.
Monica
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For me, Figura is like an oasis in Amsterdam.
Michalis
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Ik ben er altijd van overtuigd dat je de absolute basis moet hebben, en dat je daarna kan spelen.
Arien
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I enjoy the aspect of working with your hands and tools. Working with the hands... there's a tactile piece of it that's enjoyable.
Chad
Get to know us
Ready to take the first step in your sculpting journey? Contact us for a visit in Amsterdam. See our studios, meet our faculty and students!
We will contact you with more information and will seek to help you decide your best route to mastery.