Art Nouveau Black Spelter Proof Bust of Cleopatra by Jean Foretay, 1890s-1910s

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Bust of Cleopatra by Jean Foretay, Art Nouveau black spelter print

Born in 1861 and died in 1944, Alfred Jean … Read more Bust of Cleopatra by Jean Foretay, Art Nouveau black spelter print

Born in 1861 and died in 1944, Alfred Jean Foretay was a Swiss sculptor and medalist trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Geneva. Jean Foretay rose to prominence in Paris at the end of the 19th century, where he specialized in allegorical and historical busts during the Art Nouveau period, becoming one of the masters of this art, which emphasized women with organic forms inspired by nature.

He produced bronze and spelter pieces, and the Cleopatra you see before you is one of them. Foretay shares his vision of women: powerful, proud, striving for a feminist ideal of a fighter. Here, Cleopatra is depicted with oriental idealism, long hair, a headband, a perfect nose, and a gaze superior to the one looking at her. She allows you to look at her, and not vice versa.

This antique print, published around 1900, with its dynamic lines and expressive details, blends Art Nouveau influences with fin-de-siècle academicism. Made of black patinated babbitt, it is signed "Cleotra" on the front and "J. Foretay" on the back. with age, it has retained a beautiful original patina, and the careful rendering of the draperies and pharaonic attributes is typical of Foretay's work.

Fans of Art Nouveau and historical figures from ancient Egypt, don't wait any longer! Treat yourself to this orientalist bust of Cleopatra by Jean Foretay from the Art Nouveau period!

Dimensions:
→ Height: 33 cm
→ Width: 18 cm
→ Depth: 13 cm
→ Weight: 3 kg
→ Condition: Very good overall condition, with slight wear to the patina, which in no way detracts from the beauty of the subject (see photos) This piece has an attribution mark,
I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less