Jan Fabre’s The Man Who Measures the Clouds Soars in Sales in Antwerp

Antwerp (Eurotoday): Jan Fabre’s sculpture “The Man Who Measures the Clouds” shows human ambition. Even after his 2022 conviction for misconduct, a 2016 statue of him is being auctioned, starting at €100,000.

“The Man Who Measures the Clouds” is a well-known series of sculptures by Belgian artist Jan Fabre that represents human ambition. The artwork shows a man on a ladder holding a ruler up to the sky. Various versions of this sculpture have been displayed in important locations, such as the roof of the De Singel Arts Center in Antwerp. Recently, one version was auctioned online, showing that people continue to appreciate Fabre’s work despite some controversies surrounding him.

What impact do Jan Fabre’s legal issues have on his artwork and upcoming auction?

In 2021, De Singel took down its version of the sculpture “The Man Who Measures the Clouds” after people protested against artist Jan Fabre over accusations of sexual misconduct. In April 2022, he was found guilty of bullying and unwanted behavior, receiving an 18-month suspended prison sentence. This led many places to rethink whether to show his work. Even though his art was removed from public spaces, pieces like his sculpture are still in demand, raising questions about how we should deal with art.

A 2016 statue of Jan Fabre is up for sale, part of a series of 8. It shows him wearing glasses and a sweater. Auctioneer Dimitri Demol says Fabre’s legal issues won’t decrease its value. Offering starts at 100,000 euros, with an estimated price between 365,000 and 425,000 euros. The auction runs until December 15.