Early 20th Century Émile-Antoine Bourdelle Bronze Statuette Representing Madeleine Charnaux.

Details

Description

This finely cast bronze statuette represents Madeleine Charnaux, rendered in Bourdelle’s powerful and expressive sculptural language, conceived 1917. The elongated … Read more This finely cast bronze statuette represents Madeleine Charnaux, rendered in Bourdelle’s powerful and expressive sculptural language, conceived 1917. The elongated female figure stands in a frontal pose with arms bent outward, emphasizing monumentality despite the intimate scale. The surface is richly modeled with vigorous tool marks and textured planes, characteristic of Bourdelle’s mature style and his departure from classical smoothness toward expressive modernism.
The figure’s verticality, restrained gesture, and solemn presence reflect Bourdelle’s interest in symbolic form and spiritual gravity during the period surrounding World War I. The dark brown patina enhances the depth and articulation of the sculpted surface, lending the work a strong visual presence.
This example is signed with the artist’s monogram, inscribed “® by Bourdelle” on the top of the base, and cast by the prestigious Valsuani foundry using the cire perdue (lost-wax) process, widely regarded as producing the highest quality bronzes. The work is stamped “CIRE A. VALSUANI PERDUE” on the side of the base, confirming its authenticity and superior casting standard.
Dimensions
* Height: 11.25 in.
* Width: 4.25 in.
* Depth: 3.75 in. See less