By Agathon Léonard
Located in Missouri, MO
"La Cothurne" 1901
Gilt Bronze
Approx 21.5" High (to raised hand)
Signed and Dated
Foundry Mark "Susse Freres"
Originally modeled in white biscuit porcelain this Greek dancer is a from a set of eight created for a dining table. They were immediately successful when they were exhibited in the Sevres pavilion at the 1900 Exhibition. Individual figures could be ordered and "La Cothurne" proved the most popular. Their success led to the firm of Susse buying the right to cast versions in metal.
Agathon Leonard (1841-1923) is one of the well-known French Art Nouveau sculptors. Born in Lille in 1841, he first studied there before moving to Paris where he studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts under Eugene Delaplanche.
He gained recognition at the annual Expositiones Universelles, winning a Silver Medal there in 1889 and gold in 1900. His most important piece, Jeu L'echarpe, was the best known series of Sevres production at the turn of the century and sold out at the 1900 Expo in Paris and later was given as a gift by the French Gov't to Nicholas II at the Hermitage.
His bronzes were cast at the Susse Freres Editeurs Foundry. He worked also in marble, quartz and ivory. He also produced Art Nouveau medallions...
Category
Art Nouveau Early 1900s Art