PORTLAND – The Portland Museum of Art has received a loan of a rare sculpture by renowned artist Willem de Kooning (1904-1997).

The large bronze sculpture, which has been lent anonymously by a Maine collector, will be on view on the museum’s third floor through December 2006.

The sculpture, “Standing Figure” (1969-83), is one of a number of bronzes created by de Kooning in the later period of his career.

Initially uncomfortable with modeling in clay, de Kooning began to work in an Italian foundry in 1969, where he made several small sculptures. He soon expanded to a larger scale and developed an exaggerated gestural approach that parallels the expressive style of his paintings and drawings. He stopped making sculpture in 1974, after completing 25 works.

The Portland Museum of Art is located at Seven Congress Square in downtown Portland. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday. Museum admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students with I.D., $2 for youth ages 6 to 17, and children under 6 are free.

The museum is free on Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m.