The Oak Slice
10 February 2022
Displayed in the exhibition space of the Fonds Charlois for Art and the Forest, this artwork goes beyond its undeniable aesthetic value to illustrate the growth of a mature oak through the precision and regularity of its growth rings. This fine-grained sessile oak serves as a prime example of a tree that grew within a dense stand, where competition for light pushed it to grow straight and tall, with branches developing at its top. Its age is estimated at around 140 years, determined by counting its growth rings.
The slicing was performed on an exceptional sessile oak log Mehling Wiesmann, by the German company Mehling Wiesmann, which has specialized for many years in veneer slicing and interior design. While longitudinal slicing is a common technique, this artwork features an end-grain slicing, a rare and highly complex process. The resulting oak slice is just 0.9 mm thick.
The frame was crafted by cabinetmaker Christian Thierry Drevelle using solid oak planks (avivés), 65 mm thick, supplied by the Atelier du Foudrier, a Charlois Group workshop specializing in large oak containers.
This delicate artwork showcases the synergy of different players in the wood industry while also illustrating the growth cycle of a forest tree. It embodies the mission of le Fonds Charlois pour l’Art et la Forêt !
to unite artistry, craftsmanship, and education about the natural world.
*Avivés: Rectangular-sectioned solid wood pieces
Visuels © D.R.
