René Hetzel, Bust with Snakes, 1920s, Bronze

Details

Description

A striking sculpture by René Hetzel, depicting a fragmented male bust, pierced and encircled by an interlacing of bronze serpents.

… Read more A striking sculpture by René Hetzel, depicting a fragmented male bust, pierced and encircled by an interlacing of bronze serpents.

The work develops a strong visual and symbolic tension: the face, deliberately open and dislocated, reveals an internal structure composed of metal bands, like a laid-bare mental architecture. The finely chiseled serpents coil and circulate around and within the skull, creating an organic movement that contrasts with the rigidity of the form.

This confrontation between structure and chaos, interior and exterior, evokes themes related to the psyche, confinement, and transformation. The treatment of the material, with a warm, deep brown patina and gilded highlights on the serpents, accentuates the relief and the interpretation of the piece.

The cylindrical base of dark wood anchors the sculpture and reinforces its sculptural and museum-quality character.

The artist's signature, “R. Hetzel,” is visible on the base of the bust. 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