{"title":"7.26 Bronze Scuptures","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"dancer-fastening-the-string-of-her-tights-by-edgar-degas","title":"Dancer Fastening the String of Her Tights by Edgar Degas","description":"Edgar Degas\u003cbr\u003e\n1834-1917 | French\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDancer Fastening the String of Her Tights\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nSigned, numbered, dated, and stamped with foundry mark “Degas \/ 33|G \/ 1998 \/ CIRE C.VALSUANI PERDUE”\u003cbr\u003e\nBronze\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis graceful little dancer is a superb example of the sculptural works created by the great Impressionist Edgar Degas. Degas had an extraordinary talent for capturing the natural movements and grace of his figures, particularly in his paintings and sculptures of ballet dancers for which he is best known. In the present bronze, he uses a dramatic, twisting contrapposto pose in order to depict his dancer in motion as she contorts backwards to tighten the string of her tights. His works such as this reveal the mechanics of the ballet that happen beyond the beauty on stage, lending his works a remarkable sense of life and intimacy.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThroughout his career, Degas became obsessed with capturing the dancer in motion, both on stage and in the dressing room. Of the seventy-four wax sculptures created by Degas during his lifetime, forty of them depicted dancers. The present work boasts one of the more original poses from among these - rather than an arabesque, Degas captures his dancer undertaking a far more private and intimate task. Unlike some of his works that depict women doing their toilette, the bronze is elegant rather than awkward, as Degas transforms the simple act of tying a string into a pleasing and fluid pose.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe work is a sought-after rarity in terms of Degas’ sculptures. Not only are his dancers the most desirable of his work, but this bronze is also distinguished by the fact that it is a Valsuani bronze, meaning it faithfully records Degas’ wax version’s pose as it appeared at the time of its creation. Most Degas' bronzes that are found on the market were cast by Hébrard – these serialized bronzes are surmoulages, or “aftercasts,” that were cast from the modèle bronzes currently in the Norton Simon Museum (Pasadena). Because these bronzes are second generation, they are smaller and far less detailed that the current bronze.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis example, however, was cast by Valsuani from a plaster that was taken directly from Degas’ waxes, according to scholarship by the art historian Dr. Gregory Hedberg. These plasters were created by Degas’ sculptor friend Albert Bartholomé shortly after Degas completed his wax figurines. Thus, they record the earliest versions of Degas’ wax sculptures, before they were damaged by time or handling, and before Degas himself altered the works. The Hébrard bronzes, on the other hand, actually represent Degas’ reworking of the original sculptures.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nBecause they are cast directly from the plaster, the Valsuani bronzes are also larger, crisper, and more highly defined than the Hébrard bronzes. Since the original plasters were discovered in the 1990s, similar Valsuani bronzes have been exhibited around the world, including The Hermitage (St. Petersburg) and the Minneapolis Institute of Art.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOriginal wax model executed circa 1885-1890\u003cbr\u003e\nBronze cast 1998\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n16 5\/8\" high x 8 1\/2\" wide x 7 1\/2\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43316796489863,"sku":"30-9143","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-9143_1_36fec41c-c760-40af-84ce-7dd2f90299a3.png?v=1760369097"},{"product_id":"ange-jouant-du-violin-by-gaston-leroux","title":"Ange Jouant du Violin by Gaston Leroux","description":"Gaston Veuvenot Leroux\u003cbr\u003e 1854-1942 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eAnge Jouant du Violon\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e (\u003cem\u003eAngel Playing the Violin\u003c\/em\u003e) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"G. Leroux\" (on base)\u003cbr\u003e Bronze with green-olive patina on gilt base \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The work of the renowned French sculptor Gaston Leroux, this exceptional bronze brings to life a charming winged musician. Complete with his violin, the cupid figure exhibits a high level of dynamism, detail and artistry, from the individual feathers in the putti's wings to the foliage-covered rock upon which he rests. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Putti have been used for allegorical portrayals since ancient times. From young, mischievous gods of love to boisterous embodiments of the bacchanal, putti proliferate throughout art history, particularly in the neoclassical art of the 19th century. Delightful groups of musical putti such as the present piece were among the most popular forms of allegorical representation, and remain highly cherished to this day. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Paris in 1854, Gaston Veuvenot Leroux was a student of the famed French sculptor François Jouffroy. Leroux became a regular exhibitor at the Paris Salon, earning honorable mentions in 1882 and 1883, and a third class medal in 1885. He received a medal and a traveling fellowship in 1885, and further medals in 1889 and 1900, both at the Salons and at the Expositions Universelles; he was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur in 1908. Particularly renowned for his Orientalist bronzes, Leroux achieved considerable fame during his lifetime. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 15\" wide x 14 5\/8\" deep x 26 1\/2\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40499846447239,"sku":"30-9829","price":64500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/products\/30-9829_1_d2fbc3fb-430f-49a0-965d-76127b0a2dfe.png?v=1702369687"},{"product_id":"french-figural-statue","title":"French Figural Statue","description":"This extraordinary and monumental cast-iron sculpture was likely specially commissioned to the Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne for an important public or private collection. Designed by celebrated Parisian sculptor Mathurin Moreau, the striking work takes the form of a beautiful young maiden clad in classical robes with an amphora gracefully held aloft in one hand. The work displays a remarkable level of detail considering its iron casting, including a wreath of laurel leaves atop the woman's head and a stunning necklace adorning her neck.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nDue to its large size and subject matter, the remarkable work would most probably have been exhibited in a public or private fountain, garden, estate or hotel. French cast-iron sculptures such as this one were historically preferred over bronze for outdoor decorations due to their resistance to more extreme weather conditions. Similar statues cast by Val d'Osne can be found decorating public buildings and parks worldwide, and particularly in the United States and France.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe design for this statue is reproduced in the catalog of the Fonderies du Val d'Osne as \u003cem\u003eJeune fille\u003c\/em\u003e, No. 245, plate 595.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe base is mounted with a plaque reading \"\u003cem\u003eFonderies du Val d'Osne \/ 58 BD Voltaire, Paris\u003c\/em\u003e\"\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n24\" wide x 14\" deep x 70\" high\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nEstablished in 1835 by the inventor of ornamental cast iron, Jean Pierre Victor André, the Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne were world renowned for their remarkable architectural designs and decorative cast iron works of art for nearly 150 years. Beginning in 1851, the firm participated in numerous international exhibitions, earning much critical acclaim throughout the years. Celebrated sculptors including Mathurin Moreau, Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, and James Pradier designed numerous works exclusively for the famed firm, cementing their place among the finest in the industry. While today the works of the Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne can be seen in important collections worldwide, the most visible pieces cast by the firm are the distinctive Art Nouveau Parisian subway entrances designed by Hector Guimard.","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41237955870855,"sku":"30-4249","price":29500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-4249_2.png?v=1717921279"},{"product_id":"the-abduction-of-europa-by-hermann-haase-ilsenburg","title":"The Abduction of Europa by Hermann Haase-Ilsenburg","description":"A poignant work of extraordinary artistry, this bronze figure captures the mythical tale of Europa, the beautiful Phoenician princess who was kidnapped by the king of the Olympian gods, Zeus. Among the most well-known stories from mythology and a favorite subject of artists in every medium, the story of Europa is beautifully translated here by sculptor Hermann Haase-Ilsenburg in the early Art Deco style.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nDeveloping from the organic, natural forms of the Art Nouveau style that dominated the preceding decades, Haase-Ilsenburg’s work exemplifies the shift towards the symmetry and simplification of the more streamlined Art Deco. The overall graceful, clean lines of the piece mirror the ideals of the emergent style, while its relative simplicity makes it all the more emotionally compelling. The figures are delicately balanced, with Europa’s slumped figure mirroring the heavy, sloping horns of her steed. Haase-Ilsenburg flawlessly infuses a sense of humanity into his classical subject, all while merging the ancient myth with a new iconography.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nDrawn from Greek mythology, the story of Europa is among the most enduring stories of Zeus’ numerous amorous pursuits. The daughter of a Phoenician king, Europa was renowned for her beauty, which eventually inspired the love of the Olympian god. Taking the form of a bull, Zeus kidnapped the young princess and carried her to the island of Crete, where she bore him three sons, including Minos, the future King of Crete. Europa eventually gave her name to the continent of Europe, and even today an image of Europa and the bull graces the Euro coin. Widely interpreted by artists for centuries, this myth comes to life in this exquisite bronze.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCirca 1910\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nSigned “HHaase” (on base)\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n23 1\/2\" high x 17\" wide x 8\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41238079438983,"sku":"30-6243","price":18850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-6243_1.png?v=1717921378"},{"product_id":"the-last-days-of-napoleon-by-vincenzo-vela","title":"The Last Days of Napoléon by Vincenzo Vela","description":"Vincenzo Vela\u003cbr\u003e 1820-1891 | Swiss \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eLast Days of Napoléon\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Bronze on green marble base\u003cbr\u003e Signed “V. Vela. F 1867” and \"F. Barbedienne, Fondeur, Paris\" (base) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This highly evocative bronze by Vincenzo Vela captures the deposed Emperor Napoléon on his deathbed, holding a map of Europe and lost in thought about what might have been. Remarkable among most portrayals of the exiled leader, this highly detailed sculpture depicts Napoléon at his most vulnerable. Nonetheless, Vela perfectly captures his still-heroic bearing, which imparts to this work a monumental quality and quiet dignity. The mate to this figure is the colossal marble at the Musée du Château de Malmaison, which was shown at the Paris \u003cem\u003eSalon\u003c\/em\u003e of 1867. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The founder of the \u003cem\u003everismo\u003c\/em\u003e movement in Italy, Vela was one of the great exponents of realism in sculpture. Born in Ligornetto, Switzerland in 1820, he studied under celebrated sculptor, Benedetto Cacciatori. He was also influenced both by the work of Tuscan sculptor Lorenzo Bartolini, who seamlessly combined neoclassicism with naturalism and the romantic painting of Francesco Hayez. Vela soon became one of the most important promoters of realist and \u003cem\u003everist \u003c\/em\u003esculpture, which emphasized true-to-life depictions of subjects. This was a reaction to the more idealistic, classical aesthetic espoused by artists such as Canova. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Vela taught at the Albertina Academy in Turin for many years and showed his work at numerous Salons in Italy. His oeuvre is best remembered for its exploration of the social and heroic value of human action. A fervent patriot, he was active both politically and culturally and was elected to the Grand Council in Ticino. Today, many of Vela’s works are preserved in the Museo Vela at Ligornetto, and others can be found in Lugano, Bellinzona, Airolo, as well as Milan and Turin. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 9\" wide x 15\" deep x 17\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43316891910279,"sku":"31-2545","price":44850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-2545_1.png?v=1760369243"},{"product_id":"equestrian-portrait-of-louis-xiv-by-girardon","title":"Equestrian Portrait of Louis XIV by Girardon","description":"King Louis XIV, one of France's greatest monarchs, sits confidently astride a prancing steed in this bronze equestrian statue. The extraordinary work is a reduction of the portrait of the Sun King by François Girardon, one of the most noted and influential sculptors of the period. Looking back to the great masterpieces of antiquity, Girardon took his inspiration from the seminal ancient Roman marble of Marcus Aurelius, now in the Musei Capitoline (Rome). Louis XIV is thus portrayed here as a conquering Roman hero, his costume adorned with many neoclassical motifs, hand outstretched in a gesture of command. The result is an imposing royal portrait of power and absolute authority that pays homage to one of the most important sovereigns in French history. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It was in 1685, at the very height of his rule, when Louis XIV commissioned the monumental bronze of himself from the great Girardon. As sculptor to the king, Girardon was a key figure in the decoration of the gardens at the Château de Versailles, and he was later commissioned to complete several important royal projects, this equestrian sculpture included. The bronze was erected in the Place Louis-le-Grand (now the Place Vêndome) in 1699, but was regrettably destroyed less than a century later during the French Revolution in 1792. One small section of the original does remain — the left foot of the king, which is now held in the Musée Carnavalet (Paris). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Luckily, Girardon recognized the importance of his creation and executed four bronze reductions of the sculpture. Today, three of these four can be found in the British Royal Collection (London), the State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg) and the Louvre. The example in the Louvre is the only signed reduction cast by Girardon. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Since the 17th century, other reductions of the work have been created, including the present bronze, which dates to the late 19th century. Parisian bronziers such as Henri Dasson and Alfred Beurdeley were among the important makers who re-created the sculpture during this period, and this could have come from their workshops. It is a stunning ode to this great monarch, reflecting the glory of his reign and the glory of France. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The archetype of absolutism in royalty, the 72-year reign of Louis XIV, the longest in European history, not only enhanced the power of the monarchy but catapulted France to become the most powerful nation in Europe. Louis XIV built Versailles during his reign to reflect the grandeur of the King and his court which ruled under the belief, \"One King, One Law, One Faith.\" The period during which he served as King of France became known as \"The Age of Louis XIV.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1820 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Sculpture: 36\" wide x 19\" deep x 43\" high\u003cbr\u003e Base: 37 1\/4\" wide x 25\" deep x 30\" high\u003cbr\u003e Total: 37 1\/4\" wide x 25\" deep x 73\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41540597252231,"sku":"31-2479","price":228500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-2479_1_0c11a30e-dadd-42a4-a35c-0aef0ed74a84.png?v=1717920736"},{"product_id":"panther-and-hare-bronze-sculpture","title":"Panther and Hare Bronze Sculpture","description":"This 17th-century bronze sculpture, likely hailing from southern Germany, depicts a scene of life-and-death struggle in nature — a hapless hare caught in the claws of a mighty panther. The artist who modeled this richly patined bronze was clearly a keen observer of nature, and they present their subject with a high level of anatomical and narrative detail. The panther, in a recumbent pose with mouth wide, pins the ill-fated hare between his front paws, presenting not only a figural study of the creatures, but also a poignant allegory of life and death in bronze. Bronzes dating before the 18th century such as this are highly coveted by both museums and private collectors alike. The bronze is set upon a custom wooden plinth. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 17th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 6 1\/4\" wide x 3 1\/2\" deep x 4\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43316890239111,"sku":"31-4091","price":14500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-4091_1_2363738a-dbdd-4d2c-b0bf-107e907102fb.png?v=1760369239"},{"product_id":"tete-de-cariatide-by-amedeo-modigliani","title":"Tête de cariatide by Amedeo Modigliani","description":"Amedeo Modigliani\u003cbr\u003e 1884-1920 | Italian \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eTête de cariatide\u003cbr\u003e Head of Caryatid\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Modigliani” and numbered “1\/8” (near base)\u003cbr\u003e Bronze \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The figural works of the iconic modernist Amedeo Modigliani are known for their instantly recognizable style, and they are among the most coveted in the world of art collecting, with Modigliani ranking among the world’s ten most valuable artists of all time. This monumental bronze, conceived by the artist in 1910, demonstrates his mastery of sculpture. Sculpting was the artist’s self-proclaimed first and true passion — a fact sometimes overlooked due to the success of his paintings and the overwhelming rarity of his sculptures. His famed \u003cem\u003eTête\u003c\/em\u003e series from which this bronze hails stands as his most important sculptural output, with works recognized for their timeless quality and strong, stoic presence. \u003cem\u003eTête de cariatide\u003c\/em\u003e reflects these qualities and provides a compelling glimpse into Modigliani’s greatest artistic passion. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This bronze is an enlarged casting of a wooden sculpture — the only known sculpture that Modigliani carved in wood rather than stone. Commissioned posthumously by Modigliani’s daughter Jeanne alongside the Modigliani Institute, the bronze iteration here perfectly captures the rich woodgrain texture of Modigliani’s original carving and retains its careful compositional balance. Soulful and intense, it reflects the exaggerated yet elegant elongation of the artist’s figural paintings, which became his much sought-after signature style. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Modigliani’s interest in African and other non-Western art is well-documented. This bronze is reminiscent of a tribal mask or ancient deity, both due to its exaggerated features and the totemic appearance achieved by the work’s texture, meditative presence and sheer size. Yet the work also alludes to the artist’s Italian heritage and training. A \u003cem\u003ecaryatid\u003c\/em\u003e is a staple of classical architecture, an ornate column typically found on the façade of a temple that takes the form of a female figure, with the most famous examples being on the Acropolis of Athens. The present sculpture exudes the same striking, memorable quality. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Livorno, Italy in 1884, Modigliani dreamed of becoming a sculptor from a young age when he first encountered the grand marbles of Michelangelo. He moved to Paris in 1906, but it was not until 1909 after meeting modernist sculptor Constantin Brancusi that he began carving figures. For a time, he devoted himself almost entirely to sculpting, completing very few paintings between 1911 and 1914 but producing several sketches and gouaches relating to his sculptural projects. Modigliani exhibited a series of his sculptures in the 1912 Salon d'Automne. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Among the reasons Modigliani’s work is so highly sought after is the fact that the artist died at the premature age of 35, limiting his entire lifetime production to under 400 total artworks. Within that number, his sculptures are exceedingly rare; he only created around twenty-six total, most of which are held in museums such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rauantiques.my.salesforce.com\/sfc\/p\/A0000000JY02\/a\/8X000000Mkwr\/_r4uxYiGjjJa8_gf3TQ_8yguH7YnCN6LUqZNokwL0Hg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMuseum of Modern Art (New York), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) and the Tate Gallery (London).\u003c\/a\u003e Modigliani suffered from tubercular meningitis his entire life, which ultimately limited his ability to continue to pursue the physical and laborious art of sculpting, emphasizing this bronze’s importance and rarity with the artist's oeuvre.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The other editions of this series can be found in public collections worldwide, including Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the exterior of the Casa Natale Modigliani in Rome, which houses the Modigliani Institut archives. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Conceived in 1910. Posthumous, contemporary casting circa 2006. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Bears the foundry mark of Paolo Olmeda as well as the artist’s signature and edition number “1\/8” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/landing.rauantiques.com\/modigliani-insights\/\" target=\"new\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSee auction comparables and market data\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 24\" wide x 34\" deep x 90\" high\u003cbr\u003e Base: 35 3\/4\" wide x 45 3\/4\" deep x 28\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44422086721671,"sku":"31-4791","price":1850000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-4791_1.png?v=1775582550"},{"product_id":"bronze-of-amphitrite-after-michel-anguier","title":"Bronze of Amphitrite after Michel Anguier","description":"After Michel Anguier \u003cbr\u003e French | 1612-1686 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eAmphitrite\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Bronze \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This remarkable bronze masterpiece was cast after a High Baroque masterwork by French sculptor Michel Anguier. After training under the famed masters Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Alessandro Algardi, Anguier developed a unique style that incorporated the theatricality of Bernini’s period-defining sculpture, balanced by Algardi’s somber realism. This bronze of Amphitrite, wife of Poseidon, comes from the sculptor's celebrated series depicting six gods and goddesses. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Anguier's sculptures brought heightened emotion to the legendary myths of ancient Greece. The sculptor imbued his representation of Amphitrite with tranquility — a perfect fit for the goddess of the sea. Her pose and delicately draped fabrics emphasize her feminine form. A lobster perches on her arm, and she is accompanied by a dolphin at her feet, Poseidon’s favored creature and an important figure in her myth. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The present work is cast in the same scale as the original mythological set conceived in 1652 by Anguier at a sizeable 26“ tall. The first recorded casting of this work is held in the Louvre in Paris, and a similar cast can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 17th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 26\" high by 7 1\/8\" wide by 7 1\/8\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41238992027783,"sku":"31-6065","price":78500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6065_1.png?v=1712741663"},{"product_id":"married-love-by-oscar-nemon","title":"Married Love by Oscar Nemon","description":"Oscar Nemon\u003cbr\u003e 1906 - 1985 | Croatian \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eMarried Love\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Nemon” (on reverse)\u003cbr\u003e Bronze resin with green patina \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This rousing and sentimental sculpture, commissioned by Lady Churchill herself, was created by revered Croatian sculptor Oscar Nemon. It stands as a testament to the lasting love between the steadfast British leader, Sir Winston Churchill, and his wife, Lady Clementine Spencer Churchill. Lady Clementine sits smiling, legs crossed with her arms outstretched towards her husband. Sir Winston leans back in a casual, relaxed pose, with a serious yet calm expression. Entitled \u003cem\u003eMarried Love\u003c\/em\u003e, the bronze resin composition is a reflection of the humanity and devotion between two of Great Britain’s finest politicians. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Nemon first met the great Sir Winston Churchill in 1951 in Marrakech, Morocco, where the pair formed a friendship. The artist was already a great admirer of the statesman. As a Croatian before emigrating to Britain in 1938, Nemon lost the great majority of his family in the Holocaust, and Churchill's efforts to defeat the Nazis deeply resonated with Nemon. When he and the Prime Minister finally met, the artist sculpted Churchill in his hotel room at La Mamounia, aided by preliminary sketches that survive today. Perhaps moved by the occasion of sculpting one of his heroes, Nemon’s rendition exudes an intensity and lifelike dynamism that greatly impressed the Churchills. As a result of the artist's success in rendering the leader, he was selected by Queen Elizabeth II the following year to create another bust of Churchill for Windsor Castle. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Lady Churchill long admired Oscar Nemon’s 1951 bust of her husband, later saying of the sculpture: “That is how I see him and that is how I love him.” Over twenty years after their first meeting, following the statesman’s death, Lady Churchill requested that Nemon create a sculpture of the couple together. Nemon joined the widow at her home in Princes Gate, London, where she sat for her portrait. The artist then used his previous experience sculpting the Prime Minister to create \u003cem\u003eMarried Love\u003c\/em\u003e, masterfully capturing the love shared between the powerful duo.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Oscar Nemon was born to a close Jewish family in Osijek, a bustling city in eastern Croatia. Already a burgeoning artist by the time he arrived in Vienna in the mid-1920s, he met Sigmund Freud and made several sculptures of the psychologist and his dog, Topsy. Nemon enrolled at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels in 1925, where he won a gold medal for his sculpture. He remained in Brussels, sharing a home with René Magritte, until the outset of World War II in 1939 when he fled to England. His achievements in his first Churchill sculpture launched the artist to greater acclaim, and he would go on to make a number of busts of high-profile figures, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, Harry S Truman, Margaret Thatcher and more. Many of his sculptures are recognizable for their use of bronze resin, often called \"cold cast bronze,\" which is created with a mixture of bronze powder and epoxy or other resin. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eMarried Love\u003c\/em\u003e is further distinguished by unbroken provenance, with its previous owners acquiring it directly from Nemon’s studio. The original large-scale bronze stands on the grounds of Chartwell, and another version of this sculpture resides in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/msrauantiques2022.my.salesforce.com\/sfc\/p\/8c000000eEg1\/a\/Vb000000cOao\/CASGdIPcNcKWkfLmXQBf7TzlumVWw2U1V1aW4ymxgt0\"\u003eBlenheim Palace,\u003c\/a\u003e the birthplace of Winston Churchill and the only non-royal house in the United Kingdom to hold the title of “Palace.” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Conceived circa 1978 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 19“ high x 29 5\/8” wide x 19“ deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e The Sunday Telegraph, 12 March 1978 (ill.b\u0026amp;w) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e The Artist, from whom acquired directly by the family of the previous owner in 1978\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Canada","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42603713691783,"sku":"31-6571","price":78500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6571_1.png?v=1746450586"},{"product_id":"tigre-saissant-un-paon-by-antoine-louis-barye","title":"Tigre saissant un paon by Antoine-Louis Barye","description":"Antoine-Louis Barye\u003cbr\u003e 1795-1875 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eTigre saissant un paon\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e (\u003cem\u003eTiger seizing a peacock\u003c\/em\u003e) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Bronze\u003cbr\u003e Signed “BARYE”  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Modeled by famed French Romantic sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye, this rare and regal bronze sculpture, entitled \u003cem\u003eTigre saissant un paon\u003c\/em\u003e (\"\u003cem\u003eTiger seizing a peacock\u003c\/em\u003e\"), displays the remarkable realism for which the artist is best remembered. Barye's interpretation of the hungry tiger as it devours its prey captures the innate power and beauty of the natural world. With its intimidating subject crouched and snarling with a clawed paw on his prey's back, \u003cem\u003eTigre saissant un paon\u003c\/em\u003e is a poignant reminder of the frightening strength of the apex predator in the wild. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Along with his friend and schoolmate, painter Eugène Delacroix, Barye became a primary figure in the Romantic Movement of the early 19th century. He began his career as a goldsmith, apprenticing under famous artists like Martin-Guillaume Biennais, a goldsmith to Napoleon. Often sketching lions and tigers at the \u003cem\u003eJardin des Plantes\u003c\/em\u003e in Paris, it is said that the sculptor's motto was \"Observe nature. What other professor do you need?\" In 1831, Barye exhibited his first animal sculpture at the Salon, earning him the reputation of an \u003cem\u003eanimalier\u003c\/em\u003e: an artist who renders animals. Though his ferocious artistic manner often shocked the classicists of the French Academy, Barye is also noted for the innovative techniques he developed as a bronze craftsman and is viewed as an important art historical link between French Romanticism and Realism. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Other examples of \u003cem\u003eTigre saissant un paon\u003c\/em\u003e can be found in prestigious museum collections worldwide, including the de Young Museum in San Francisco and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1880 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 6 1\/4\" high x 7 1\/2\" wide x 18 1\/2\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43316909179015,"sku":"31-6592","price":22850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6592_1_c5799932-6f0d-4774-8699-4448d2b8b5db.png?v=1762000727"},{"product_id":"sigmund-freud-by-oscar-nemon","title":"Sigmund Freud by Oscar Nemon","description":"Oscar Nemon\u003cbr\u003e 1906 - 1985 | Croatian \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eSigmund Freud\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Nemon”\u003cbr\u003e Bronze resin \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This original bronze Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, was crafted by renowned Croatian sculptor Oscar Nemon. In 1931, Nemon was commissioned to sculpt Freud for his 75th birthday. After Nemon initially sketched a skeptical Freud in pencil, he returned the following day with a preliminary rendering in clay, effectively convincing Freud of his skill. Nemon sought to capture Freud’s physical likeness and contemplative inner world, linking the famed psychoanalyst’s public persona with the humanity of the man behind the revered name. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Freud was very pleased with the final result, which was produced in carved wood, bronze and plaster. In fact, Freud wrote in his diary of the initial 1931 Nemon sculpture, “The head, which the gaunt, goatee-beard artist has fashioned from the dirt — like the good Lord —is very good and an astonishingly life-like impression of me.” Freud chose to keep the wood carving for his own personal collection and it is now on display in the Freud Museum in Hampstead. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Oscar Nemon was born to a close Jewish family in Osijek, a bustling city in eastern Croatia. Already a burgeoning artist, shortly after he arrived in Vienna in the mid-1920s, he met Sigmund Freud and made several sculptures of the psychologist and his dog, Topsy. Nemon enrolled at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels in 1925, where he won a gold medal for his sculpture. He remained in Brussels, sharing a home with René Magritte, until the outset of World War II in 1939 when he fled to England. Nemon would go on to make a number of busts of high-profile figures, including Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, Harry S Truman, Margaret Thatcher and more. Many of his sculptures are recognizable for their use of bronze resin, often called \"cold cast bronze,\" which is created with a mixture of bronze powder and epoxy or other resin.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Conceived 1931 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 13 3\/4\" high x 5 3\/4” wide x 7 3\/4“ deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43316909080711,"sku":"31-6569","price":9850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6569_1_6c60d946-045f-48ea-9cb9-20861e4b3bb2.png?v=1762000723"},{"product_id":"panther-by-emile-louis-bracquemond","title":"Panther by Émile Louis Bracquemond","description":"Émile Louis Bracquemond\u003cbr\u003e 1889-1970 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003ePanther\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Bronze \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This exquisite bronze sculpture of a panther was created by French sculptor Émile Louis Bracquemond. The artist was clearly a keen observer of nature, and he presents the richly patinated panther, in a prowling pose with head held aloft. Incredibly sleek in its form, the sculpture showcases both Bracquemond's artistry and the stylization characteristic of the glamorous Art Deco era.  Born in France in the late 19th century, Émile Louis Bracquemond exhibited at the Salon de la Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts in the 1930s. His works capturing panthers and other felines, such as the present model, are considered among his finest creations. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1930 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 12 1\/2\" high x 8 7\/8\" wide x 25 3\/4\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exhibitions:\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans, \u003cem\u003eErté and the Era of Art Deco\u003c\/em\u003e, October 14, 2023 - January 3, 2024","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43673045827719,"sku":"31-7828","price":24500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-7828_1.png?v=1782840077"},{"product_id":"sir-winston-churchill-bronze-by-ivor-roberts-jones","title":"Sir Winston Churchill Bronze by Ivor Roberts-Jones","description":"Ivor Roberts-Jones\u003cbr\u003e 1913-1996 | British \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eSir Winston Churchill\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Numbered “132” (on base)\u003cbr\u003e Bronze with a brown patina on a stone base \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “My dear friends, this is your hour.” These were Winston Churchill’s words as he spoke on the evening of the Allied victory in Europe, and so ended the Second World War. A man of undeniable strength and resilience, Winston Churchill stands as one of the greatest leaders of the modern world. This important bronze masterfully captures the man’s irrepressible air of determination and indomitable character. Crafted by Ivor Roberts-Jones, the sculpture is an edition of the original maquette for the large-scale monument of the prime minister found in Parliament Square. One of England's most recognizable public monuments, it stands as a magnificent tribute to one of the greatest wartime heroes in history. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Roberts-Jones crafted the original maquette in 1971, and it was from this preliminary model that he created his monumental bronze. Following the monument's unveiling, the sculpture was so popular that a series of cast versions of the maquette was created. These were subsequently offered exclusively to Roberts-Jones' clients and the original subscribers to Churchill’s recently published Collected Works. This exceptional example is numbered 132 conceived as an edition of 500 that were cast by Meridian Bronze Foundry. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It was in 1967, two years after Churchill's death, that the commemorative sculpture of Churchill was first envisioned, and it was decided that Parliament Square was the most appropriate area. In fact, Churchill himself had suggested the location before his death. Eight sculptors were invited to submit designs and compete for the high-profile commission. Roberts-Jones’s maquette was shortlisted, and after a few minor design changes, he was officially awarded the commission in March 1971. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Ivor Roberts-Jones rose to prominence in 1961 thanks to an influential commission from Lord Beaverbrook for a bust of the British playwright Somerset Maugham. He earned his first full-scale commission in 1964 for a sculpture of the British painter Augustus John. After its completion in 1967, Roberts-Jones was elected as an associate of the Royal Academy. He became a full member in 1973, following the completion of his Churchill monument. This bronze is an extraordinary symbol of the sculptor's single greatest achievement. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1971 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 9 3\/4\" wide x 7 1\/4\" deep x 20\" high \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e Peter Cannon-Brookes, \u003cem\u003eIvor Roberts-Jones: The Journey to Harlech\u003c\/em\u003e, London: Trefoli Books, 1983, pp. 51-59 (another cast illustrated). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Pennsylvania\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44027721580679,"sku":"31-9069","price":275000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-9069_1_472ee2bd-0175-4118-ab09-1515faed081a.png?v=1774966820"},{"product_id":"marcus-aurelius-equestrian-bronze","title":"Marcus Aurelius Equestrian Bronze","description":"A rare Italian bronze from the Baroque age, this extraordinary equestrian statue depicts the famed Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius—one of the most respected emperors in Roman history. This masterfully executed sculpture depicts the legendary figure with a commanding grandeur and sophistication that is reminiscent of the best works from its era. Exhibiting a remarkable level of detail, the sculpture deftly captures the emperor's air of power and presents an impressive study in both anatomy and expression. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The impactful work is modeled after the monumental ancient equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius currently held in the Capitoline Museum in Rome. Originally erected circa 175 CE in either the Roman Forum or the Piazza Colonna, today it is the only intact bronze statue of a pre-Christian Roman emperor to have survived the ages. The present work remains true to the over-life-sized original, with the emperor exuding a sense of dignity while atop his steed, presumably overseeing a public ceremony. The horse itself is a magnificent example of equine anatomy and dynamism. Captured in motion, the horse and its venerable rider are compelling from every angle. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Few pre-19th century bronze versions of the ancient masterpiece are known. Examples are currently held in the Bargello National Art Museum in Florence and the National Trust's Saltram House in Devon. The Saltram House bronze, attributed to Giovanni Zoffoli (c. 1745-1805) and Giacomo Zoffoli (c. 1731-1785), is nearly identical to the present sculpture, though it stands on a slightly different base. The statue is also depicted on the reverse of the 0.50 euro coin, and a true-to-size replica can be found on the campus of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This bronze masterfully captures the essence of its imperial subject with a remarkable sense of strength and realism. Truly bringing the ancient world to life, the figure is a rare treasure of Italian artistry. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1780 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 26\" high x 10\" wide x 13\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41812958937223,"sku":"31-9171","price":28500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-9171_1.png?v=1726233459"},{"product_id":"a-patinated-bronze-statuette-of-william-shakespeare-by-frederick-william-macmonnies","title":"A Patinated Bronze Statuette of William Shakespeare by Frederick William MacMonnies","description":"Frederick William MacMonnies\u003cbr\u003e 1863–1937 | American \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eWilliam Shakespeare\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"F. MacMonnies\" and foundry-marked \"E. Gruet Jeune, Fondeur, Paris\"\u003cbr\u003e Bronze \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Frederick William MacMonnies, one of America’s most celebrated sculptors of the Beaux-Arts tradition, crafted a timeless homage to William Shakespeare in this exceptional bronze statuette. This 29-inch-high example is a scaled version of the life-size statue commissioned for the Library of Congress in 1894 and installed in the iconic Main Reading Room in 1896. Cast by the esteemed E. Gruet Jeune foundry in Paris, the bronze’s warm dark-brown patina and exquisite form serve as a stunning tribute to the great Bard and the artistic brilliance of the sculptor who brought his likeness to life. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e MacMonnies presents Shakespeare in contemplative repose, his stylus poised over an open book, exuding thoughtful inspiration. Every detail—from the intricately embroidered cloak to the ruffled collar and distinctive trunk hose—reflects a commitment to historical authenticity, inspired by the Droeshout portrait in the \u003cem\u003eFirst Folio\u003c\/em\u003e and Shakespeare’s funerary monument in Stratford-upon-Avon. Critics of the time praised the statue’s lifelike quality and dignified simplicity, with \u003cem\u003eScribner’s Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e (November 1895) calling it “more humanistic and thoughtful” than any of MacMonnies’s earlier works. Other versions of this sculpture reside in esteemed collections, including the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. and the Grolier Club in New York. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Trained by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, MacMonnies was a prominent American sculptor and painter, a star of the Beaux-Arts movement. Born in Brooklyn, he trained under Augustus Saint-Gaudens and studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. MacMonnies gained international acclaim for works like the Columbian Fountain at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and the Nathan Hale monument, cast by the same foundry as ours, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. Known for his dynamic compositions and blend of American and European artistic traditions, he spent much of his career in France, earning recognition as a master of monumental and allegorical sculpture. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1895 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e On base: 37 1\/2“ high x 16” wide x 13 1\/8“ deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42513664606343,"sku":"32-0370","price":124500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-0370_1.png?v=1743858811"},{"product_id":"pair-of-bronze-busts-of-queen-mary-by-william-henry-tyler","title":"Pair of Bronze Busts of Queen Mary by William Henry Tyler","description":"Pair of Bronze Busts of Queen Mary when Duchess of York\u003cbr\u003e William Henry Tyler\u003cbr\u003e Dated 1893 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e These rare and highly important bronze busts of the future Queen Mary, created in 1893 by the esteemed British sculptor William Henry Tyler, capture the future queen in the year of her marriage to the Duke of York, later King George V. Set on elegant Connemara marble columns, these sculptures were likely commissioned by the Duchess of York herself as diplomatic gifts to be presented to royal family members and close friends. Their museum-quality execution, combined with an inscription reading \"May\"—Mary’s intimate nickname used only by family—strongly suggests this royal provenance and personal significance. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Each bronze bust portrays Mary with regal poise, rendered in remarkable detail by Tyler’s skilled hand. A serene, composed expression softens her youthful features, while her hair is carefully styled in a manner reflective of Victorian aristocratic fashion. The rich patina of the bronze contrasts beautifully with the green-hued Irish marble base, highlighting the fine craftsmanship. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e William Henry Tyler (1852–1906) was one of Britain’s leading sculptors of the late Victorian era, celebrated for his portraiture and royal commissions. The Royal Collection Trust holds a nearly identical pair of busts, currently housed at Buckingham Palace. Tyler’s ability to balance dignity and approachability in royal subjects made him a favored sculptor among Britain’s elite, and these busts exemplify his masterful technique and deep understanding of character. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed and dated “Will Tyler 1893” with the foundry mark “Cie Des Bronzes, Bruxelles” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 12 7\/8\" high x 4 1\/2\" wide x 3 3\/4\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43317040480391,"sku":"32-0727","price":16850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-0727_1.png?v=1762000789"},{"product_id":"bronze-reliefs-of-minerva-and-mars-by-emile-pinedo","title":"Bronze Reliefs of Minerva and Mars by Émile Pinedo","description":"Émile Pinedo\u003cbr\u003e 1840-1916 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Bronze Reliefs of Minerva and Mars \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Bronze \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e These exceptional bronze reliefs depicting the Roman deities Minerva and Mars represent the pinnacle of 19th-century French bronze casting, executed by master sculptor Émile Pinedo. The paired compositions showcase the artist's mastery in capturing both the classical power and beauty of these mythological figures, rendered with the technical precision that established Pinedo among the foremost bronze founders of his era. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Minerva, goddess of wisdom and warfare, is portrayed in profile with her characteristic plumed helmet adorned with elaborate decorative elements. Mars, god of war, appears equally commanding with his ornate military regalia and powerful visage, the intricate detailing of his armor and flowing drapery showcasing the artist's meticulous attention to surface texture and form.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Émile Pinedo established himself as one of Paris' most accomplished sculptors and bronze founders, inheriting both his father's foundry and his dedication to excellence in bronze casting. Making his debut at the prestigious Paris Salon of 1870, his bronzes became synonymous with the highest standards of Parisian craftsmanship, combining technical mastery with artistic vision. Today, his works remain highly coveted by collectors and institutions alike.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Each bears the artist's stamp verso on integral hanger, Minerva no. “536” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1880-1900 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mars: 40 5\/8\" high x 21 1\/2\" wide x 8 1\/2\" deep\u003cbr\u003e Minerva: 42 1\/8\" high x 22 1\/8\" wide x 8 1\/2\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Rome\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Alabama\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Brussels\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43231142707335,"sku":"32-0717","price":54500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-0717_1_747b91db-0dd7-4871-9f04-2c17eb3ab277.png?v=1758656264"},{"product_id":"leternel-printemps-by-auguste-rodin","title":"L'Éternel Printemps by Auguste Rodin","description":"Auguste Rodin\u003cbr\u003e 1840-1917 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eL'Éternel Printemps\u003cbr\u003e (The Eternal Spring)\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Bronze with brown patina\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Rodin\" (on base), with Barbedienne foundry mark \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Perhaps one of the most well-known and celebrated sculptures of his oeuvre, Auguste Rodin's passionate bronze \u003cem\u003eL'Éternel Printemps\u003c\/em\u003e is the embodiment of this artist's rare genius. Conceived in 1884, the bronze is regarded as one of the masterpieces of his mature output, conveying a sensuality and aura of passionate love from every angle. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This work was conceived at the height of Rodin's career in 1884, during an intense period of work on his pivotal \u003cem\u003eGates of Hell\u003c\/em\u003e commission. It tells the age-old narrative of forbidden love, depicting the affair of Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta, who famously appear in Dante's \u003cem\u003eInferno\u003c\/em\u003e for their transgression. Highlighting the lovers' bliss rather than their ultimate punishment, Rodin felt the bronze was too joyful and removed it from his \u003cem\u003eGates of Hell\u003c\/em\u003e. Instead, he executed it as a stand-alone sculpture that would become one of his most acclaimed and beloved works. \u003cem\u003eThe Kiss\u003c\/em\u003e, another masterpiece by the sculptor, shares a similar origin and subject, though \u003cem\u003eL'Éternel Printemps\u003c\/em\u003e is more dynamic in its pose. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Rodin's technical mastery was unmatched in his day, and by the turn of the century, he was regarded as the best sculptor since Michelangelo. His composition is dynamic from every angle, utilizing negative space in the arch of the woman's back and her lover's outstretched arm to create movement and feeling. Like many of his major works, Rodin looked back to one of his previous models in order to develop his amorous lovers. The female figure is based on his sensuous \u003cem\u003eTorso of Adèle\u003c\/em\u003e (Musée Rodin, Paris), which appears in the upper left-hand corner of the tympanum of his \u003cem\u003eGates of Hell\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003eL'Éternel Printemps\u003c\/em\u003e is also believed to resemble Camille Claudel, a sculptor with whom Rodin began a passionate affair after she joined his studio in 1882. The autobiographical element of Rodin's own forbidden love perhaps accounts for the work's intimacy and intensity. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e After its successful showing at the \u003cem\u003eSalon\u003c\/em\u003e of 1897, Rodin awarded the casting of this bronze to the Barbedienne foundry in 1898. This sculpture is from the founder's second reduction, meaning it is the second largest of four versions they produced. It was also importantly cast during Rodin's lifetime and thus under his supervision, between 1905-1910. Other versions of this bronze can be found in museums worldwide, including the Musée Rodin (Paris), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston) and others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Auguste Rodin is counted among the greatest artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, along with names such as van Gogh, Monet and Renoir. In the history of sculpture, he occupies a place even more important than his painterly contemporaries, for he alone revived the art of sculpture, returning it to prominence among mainstream art. During the mid-1870s, after two decades of struggling as an artist, Rodin visited Italy and studied the works of Michelangelo, who inspired his first major work, \u003cem\u003eThe Bronze Age\u003c\/em\u003e. Exhibited in Brussels in 1877, it was so well received that the State purchased the work in 1880, which led to the commission of Rodin's \u003cem\u003eThe Gates of Hell\u003c\/em\u003e. His works, so naturalistic and expressive in detail, were far removed from conventional, decorative sculpture and ultimately transformed the history of art. Today, he is widely regarded as the father of modern sculpture. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This important work is accompanied by a letter from the Comité Auguste Rodin confirming it will be included in the forthcoming \u003cem\u003eCatalogue Critique de l’Oeuvre Sculpté d’Auguste Rodin\u003c\/em\u003e by Jérôme Le Blay. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Conceived in 1884; cast between 1905-1910  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 20 1\/4\" high x 26\" wide x 13\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Argentina, acquired in the 1910s\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, France\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Texas\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44218370883719,"sku":"32-1428","price":1285000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1428_1_71ef979d-528b-4ae6-b255-cfbf2912b420.png?v=1774963983"},{"product_id":"david-vainqueur-de-goliath-by-marius-jean-antonin-mercie-1","title":"David Vainqueur de Goliath by Marius Jean Antonin Mercié","description":"Marius Jean Antonin Mercié\u003cbr\u003e French (1845-1916) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eDavid vainqueur de Goliath\u003cbr\u003e (David, Victor of Goliath)\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “A. Mercié” (on base)\u003cbr\u003e Bronze \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This incredible bronze sculpture, entitled \u003cem\u003eDavid vainqueur de Goliath\u003c\/em\u003e, depicts the Biblical story of a young David’s final triumph over the giant Goliath. It was created by celebrated French sculptor Marius Jean Antonin Mercié, and it earned the artist a first-class medal at the Paris Salon of 1872. The work also earned him the prestigious Cross of the Legion d'Honneur, the only artist to ever receive that distinction while still a student.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Originally from Toulouse, Mercié was an accomplished sculptor who studied under François Jouffroy and Alexandre Falguiére at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, winning the Prix de Rome in 1868. This award allowed him to study in Italy, which is where he modeled \u003cem\u003eDavid vainqueur de Goliath\u003c\/em\u003e, which would become one of his most popular and recognizable works. It made an extremely bold statement that begged comparison with seminal works of the Renaissance by Verrocchio, Donatello and Michelangelo. Mercié's youthful hero, however, could never be mistaken for a Renaissance work, with its overtones of Orientalism. The artist even includes the name David in Hebrew letters within the ornamentation on the base. The sculpture's success was immediate, and an example of this work was commissioned by the French state and exhibited at the World Exhibitions in Vienna in 1873 and Paris in 1878. Today, that example resides in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, and another casting from Barbedienne resides in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Early success in his career brought several private and public commissions, and he produced many monuments and ornamental sculptures from his studios. Among these commissions were a large monument for the tomb of King Louis-Phillipe and Queen Marie-Amelie and the figure of \u003cem\u003eJustice\u003c\/em\u003e for Paris' Town Hall. He also regularly exhibited at the Paris Salon until 1912 in both bronze and marble. Named president of the Societé des Artistes Français in 1913, Mercié became one of the few sculptors to attain the rank of Grand Officer in the Legion d'Honneur. In 1880, he began to practice painting as well, but it was his work as a sculptor that continued to garner the most distinctions and honors. He was appointed Professor of Drawing and Sculpture at the École des Beaux-Arts and was elected a member of the Académie Française in 1891. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The base marked “A. MERCIE” and “F. BARBEDIENNE, Fondeur”. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Late 19th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e On base: 46\" high x 20\" wide x 14\" deep (116.84 x 50.8 x 35.56 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43231207653511,"sku":"32-1354","price":44500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1354_1_e95c2fad-eafb-45ca-b02d-eb826666974f.png?v=1759390608"},{"product_id":"la-peche-by-duchoiselle-1","title":"La Pêche by Duchoiselle","description":"Duchoiselle\u003cbr\u003e 1801-1900 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eLa Pêche\u003cbr\u003e (Allegory of Fishing)\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Bronze with a brown and parcel-gilt patina\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Duchoiselle” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This remarkable bronze figure is distinguished by its extraordinary execution and exceptional level of detail. A popular 19th-century subject for both American and European sculptors, the romanticized figure of the Native American emerged as an artistic personification of the country itself in all her beauty. Simultaneously a Greek goddess and a Native American princess, this figure came to represent a merging of the neoclassical with the new iconography of America. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e An allegory for fishing, the idealized figure is presented upon her canoe, draped in a fishing net, which mimics the classical robes of antiquity. A delicate necklace of seashells rests around her graceful neck, while her elaborate feather headdress further reveals her Native American inspiration. Duchoiselle is celebrated for the astonishing detail of his works, and the present bronze is certainly no exception. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e There is little known about the life of the French sculptor Duchoiselle. In 1882, he is recorded as the supplier of ceiling reliefs for the Louvre and Garnier Opera in Paris. Today, he is best remembered for his romanticized, neoclassical Native American subjects. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This work is pictured in \u003cem\u003eArt Bronzes\u003c\/em\u003e by M. Forrest and \u003cem\u003eBronzes of the 19th Century\u003c\/em\u003e by P. Kjellberg. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1860 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 12\" high x 36 1\/2\" wide x 24 1\/4\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43746752397447,"sku":"32-2179","price":38500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2179_1_243d3619-e91c-4302-b239-b18dce590091.png?v=1769778686"},{"product_id":"madonna-and-child-by-henry-moore","title":"Madonna and Child by Henry Moore","description":"Henry Moore\u003cbr\u003e 1898-1986 | British \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eMadonna and Child\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Moore\" (on reverse)\u003cbr\u003e Bronze \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Henry Moore was the preeminent British sculptor of the modern era, whose works blended abstraction, figuration and non-Western influences in a way that revolutionized the medium. One of his most celebrated and enduring motifs was the mother and child, and in 1943, Moore would receive his most significant commission on this subject: the \u003cem\u003eMadonna and Child\u003c\/em\u003e for St. Matthew's Parish Church. This exceptionally rare bronze is tied to that iconic work, a world-famous cornerstone of British sculpture. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In 1943, the Reverend Walter Hussey invited Moore to create a Madonna and Child sculpture for his church, a proposal the artist accepted with hesitation. Moore felt the immense weight of depicting such a religious subject, wondering if he could distinguish the sacred Madonna and Child from his long‑standing mother and child theme. Of the commission, he said: \"This is one of the most difficult and heart-searching sculptures that I ever tried to do.”  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He began cautiously, completing many drawings and modeling a series of 12 small maquettes in clay. Only then did Moore fully commit to the commission. This bronze was cast from one of these final clay models, which Moore returned to after completing his version in Hornton stone for St. Matthew’s. In our bronze, the statuesque seated Madonna envelops the child tenderly, embodying quiet strength and emotional protection. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cast in an edition of 7 with an artist’s proof, this bronze is an extraordinarily rare link to one of Moore’s most pivotal commissions. Other examples of these bronzes reside in prestigious museums worldwide, including the Tate Modern in London and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Importantly, this bronze was signed by the artist and is accompanied by a copy of the letter from the Henry Moore Foundation, confirming the work is recorded in their archives as LH223.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Moore was born in Castleford, England in 1898, and after some brief artistic training in his early years, he volunteered for army service in the First World War. After the war, Moore resumed his sculptural practice and gained notoriety as well as prestigious teaching posts at the Royal College and the Chelsea School of Art. At the height of his career, Moore achieved widespread international recognition, with major exhibitions such as his 1946 retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and by winning the International Prize for Sculpture at the 1948 Venice Biennale. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cast circa 1945 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 5 1\/2\" high x 2 1\/4\" wide x 3\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Jeffrey Coria, NYC \u0026amp; FL, acquired in 1968\u003cbr\u003e Gallery Moss, Toronto\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, acquired from the above\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Florida\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e David Sylvester, ed., \u003cem\u003eHenry Moore Complete Sculpture 1921-48\u003c\/em\u003e, vol. 1, London, 1988, no. 223, illustration of the terracotta version p. 138","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44050685952135,"sku":"32-2307","price":188500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2307_1_6a368170-4a49-4302-95c7-4fd3dbbcec1f.png?v=1780145668"},{"product_id":"nature-unveiling-herself-before-science-by-louis-ernest-barrias","title":"Nature Unveiling Herself Before Science by Louis-Ernest Barrias","description":"Louis-Ernest Barrias\u003cbr\u003e 1841-1905 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eLa Nature se dévoilant devant la Science\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Nature Unveiling Herself Before Science)\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “L. Barrias” (on base)\u003cbr\u003e Foundry marked Susse Frères\u003cbr\u003e Bronze \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A striking celebration of scientific discovery, this evocative bronze by Louis-Ernest Barrias captures one of the most celebrated allegories of fin-de-siècle French sculpture. Depicting Nature as a young woman lifting her veil before Science, the composition embodies the period’s fascination with uncovering the natural world and advancing human knowledge. Cast by the renowned Susse Frères foundry, this refined interpretation of Barrias’s celebrated subject highlights the technical excellence of Parisian bronze production at the turn of the century. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The figure is modeled in a gently twisting pose that reinforces the central act of revelation. Three shaded patinas add depth and surface variation, emphasizing the transitions between flesh, drapery and veil. The refined modeling reflects Barrias’s academic training, while the treatment of form introduces an early Art Nouveau sensibility. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Barrias was a leading figure of the Beaux-Arts tradition and a Prix de Rome laureate, known for his public commissions and allegorical works that defined late 19th-century French sculpture. Barrias first conceived \u003cem\u003eLa Nature se dévoilant devant la Science\u003c\/em\u003e in 1889 as a marble sculpture for Bordeaux’s newly constructed medical school. The work soon became one of his most celebrated compositions, which he revisited in multiple versions and media throughout his career. This continued return to the subject reflects both its critical success and its importance within his oeuvre. Cast by Susse Frères, the bronzes, including this example, are among the most admired interpretations, valued for their fidelity to Barrias’s modeling and their refined finishing. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1905 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 19\" high x 8\" wide x 5\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44932354572423,"sku":"32-2591","price":19850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2591_1.png?v=1781882586"}],"url":"https:\/\/rauantiques.com\/collections\/7-26-bronze-scuptures.oembed","provider":"M.S. Rau","version":"1.0","type":"link"}