"Mercury with the Golden Blade", 1921 Bronze Sculpture with Male Nude, Austria

In an era when artists were capturing the exoticism and athleticism of modern dancers, such as Richmond Barthé's depiction of Féral Benga dancing with a large, curved sword or Paul Colin's drawings of Josephine Baker with her skirt of bananas, this sensuous presentation of a nude male dancer with a long spear stands out. The bronze was sculpted in 1926 by Brenda Putnam, who is best known for a series of bronzes showing children at play, often placed in gardens and parks. However, Putnam was ambitious to do more, leaving academic sculpture behind as she collaborated with architect Paul Philippe Cret to create the Puck Fountain for the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., executed a number of portraits in bronze, exhibited at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, and created "The Crest" -- consisting of a a large male nude swimming...

A rare and superb depiction of modern dance in the era of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and modern dance pioneers such as Martha Graham, this figure of a modern male dancer, his ar...

Large, extremely rare and highly sensuous, this Art Deco bronze sculpture shows a nude male figure, kneeling on his right leg and bracing himself on his left, arching his bow in read...

One of the most finely sculpted and executed bronzes we have ever offered, this 22-inch sculpture portrays David as a handsome, lithe young man, with a small stone in his hand, ready...

Jean de Roncourt (1869–1937) Art Deco Patinated Bronze Sculpture of a Male Figure Description: Elegant patinated bronze sculpture representing a male figure, signed by the French sc...

Fine early 20th century Art deco period bronze of a fencer holding and bending his rapier. The well modelled figure is naked except for a loincloth and he is seen looking down and flexing the blade of his rapier. Ludwig Eisenberger...

French Art Deco patinated bronze sculpture from circa 1930, celebrating the heroic figure of a Sailor or Navigator at sea. The muscular male nude is captured in a dramatic, powerful ...

Pierre Le Faguays (1892-1962) An Impressive and very large 43" high French Art Deco bronze figure of a young athletic man, adorned in scanty attire, almost nude, standing proudly atop a lofty and stylized rocky plinth. His stance exudes strength and confidence as he balances himself gracefully. With arms outstretched in a fluid movement, the sculptor portrays a sense of dynamic energy and prowess. Beautifully cast in a dark green, brown /black variegated patina. In his elevated grasp, the man holds a laurel wreath, raised high above his head. This symbol of victory and triumph represents the pinnacle of achievement. Through the artists eyes, it further conveys the athlete's exceptional skill and dedication to his craft. The artist's attention to detail and skillful execution breathe life into the sculpture, capturing the essence of athleticism and the human form. This remarkable bronze figure epitomizes the grace, power, and triumphant spirit of Olympic competition. It stands as a testament to the artistic brilliance and mastery of Pierre Le Faguays and serves as a timeless tribute to the pursuit of excellence in art as well as in sports. Bibliography : Bronzes, sculptors and founders by H. Berman, Abage, Vol 11, pg 425 Art Deco and other figures,by Bryan Catley,pgs 192-201 Art Deco sculpture by Victor Arwas, Academy Editions, 1992 pgs.121-127 Art Deco sculpture by Victor Arwas, Academy Editions,1975 pg. 38 Dictionnaire des peintres, sculpteurs, dessinateurs et graveurs” by E. Benezit. Gründ 1999, pg 426 The dictionary of sculptors in bronze” by James Mackay, Antique collectors club Dictionnaire illustré des sculpteurs animaliers & fondeurs de l’antiquité à nos jours, by Jean Charles Hachet. --------------------------- Pierre Le Faguays, born 1892 in Nantes, France, gained renown for his innovative approach to sculpting dancers, drawing inspiration from the Tanagra statues. In 1927, he received a prestigious medal of honor for his exceptional work. A close companion of Max Le Verrier, Pierre collaborated extensively with the Le Verrier foundry, which produced numerous pieces of his art. In addition to his given name, he also employed two pseudonyms, Fayral and Guerbe, which were derived from the surnames of his mother and wife respectively. As a leading sculptor, Pierre's creations earned consistent praise for their exceptional craftsmanship and meticulous attention to anatomical precision. His artistic endeavors extended beyond sculpture, as he also designed pieces for Goldscheider in Paris, working under the label "La Stele." Pierre's versatility encompassed various mediums, including ivory, bronze, spelter, stone, wood, alabaster, and ceramics. Notably, he received artistic education alongside his friend Max Le Verrier, studying together at the Beaux Arts in Geneva. Throughout their lives, Pierre maintained strong friendships with both Marcel Bouraine and Max Le Verrier, with the latter's foundry being instrumental in producing many of Le Faguays' statues. The bond formed...