Liz Homberger, our Objects Conservator, and Livy Bailin, Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in Objects Conservation, undertook the cleaning of "Torso of a Giant," made by French sculptor Jean Arp in 1964. The German French poet, painter, and sculptor initially created reliefs of biomorphic shapes. These works inspired his undulating sculptures such as ‘Torso of a Giant’ — a patinated bronze sculpture that is larger than life-size, and which is suggestive of the human form. Despite the predominantly abstract shapes, the work appears to reference (fragments of) the human body. The distorted torso seems to be frozen in motion, caught in the process of bending over. The smooth polished skin, rounded shapes and fluid lines are recurrent elements in Arp’s work. Swipe right to see the cleaning process! — Jean Arp, Torso of a Giant, 1964, bronze. Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase, W. Hawkins Ferry Fund, 64.264.