Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Stepán Erzia
Head of a Woman, green patina cement head by Erzia

1939

About the Item

Head of a Woman, ca. 1939. Stepan Dmitrievich Erzia, born Stepan Nefyodov on October 27, 1876, in Bayevo, Simbirsk Governorate, Russia, was a distinguished sculptor of Erzya Mordvin descent. He adopted "Erzia" as his artistic pseudonym to honor his ethnic heritage. Erzia's artistic journey began with apprenticeships in icon-painting studios in Alatyr and Kazan between 1892 and 1897. During this period, he decorated churches throughout the Volga region and attended the Kazan Art School. From 1902 to 1906, he studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, where he participated in student exhibitions. Between 1906 and 1914, Erzia lived in Italy and France, immersing himself in European art scenes. He showcased his work at exhibitions in Venice and Milan in 1909 and in Paris in 1912. During this time, he created notable pieces such as "Melancholy" (1908), "The Last Night" (1909), and "The Stone Age" (1911). Returning to Russia in 1914, Erzia continued to develop his craft. In the early 1920s, he began experimenting with wood sculpture, favoring rare subtropical species like quebracho, algarrobo, and urunday. The unique textures and rich palettes of these woods allowed him to realize ambitious artistic visions, blending natural forms with meticulously polished surfaces. In 1926, the Soviet government sent Erzia abroad to promote Soviet art. After a brief stay in Paris, he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1927, where he resided until 1950. During his time in Argentina, Erzia created portraits of prominent figures such as Lenin, Moses, Tolstoy, and Beethoven. He also proposed an ambitious project to transform entire mountains in the Andes into monuments honoring heroes of Argentina's independence - a plan that, despite approval, was never realized due to funding issues. Erzia returned to the Soviet Union in 1950, bringing with him approximately 300 works of art. In 1954, a significant exhibition of his sculptures was held in Moscow, marking a highlight of his later career. In recognition of his contributions to art, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour in 1956. Stepan Erzia passed away on November 24, 1959, in Moscow. He was laid to rest in Saransk, the capital of Mordovia. In his honor, the Mordovian Erzia Museum of Visual Arts was established in Saransk on June 26, 1958, housing the most comprehensive collection of his works, totaling 204 pieces. Erzia's legacy endures through his innovative techniques and profound artistic expressions, which continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
  • Creator:
    Stepán Erzia (1876 - 1959, Russian)
  • Creation Year:
    1939
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 13 in (33 cm)Width: 7.49 in (19 cm)Depth: 7.49 in (19 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1599216196932

More From This Seller

View All
Marble head of Roman Empress Domitia Longina
Located in New York, NY
Marble head of Roman empress Domitia Longina, wife of emperor Domitian. The elaborate hairstyle, a distinctive feature of Domitia's depictions, is worked in great detail, and the ser...
Category

Early 18th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Marble head of Roman Emperor Tiberius
Located in New York, NY
Antique marble head of the roman emperor Tiberius. 43cm without the base.
Category

18th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Inca, quebracho wood sculpture by Russian sculptor Stepan Erzia
Located in New York, NY
Head of an Inca. Quebracho wood. 60cm tall. Signed twice. Dated 1929. First prize (Foreign Artist) in Buenos Aires 1941, catalogue available. Excellent condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Academic Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

After Giambologna Bronze of Mercury with green patina
By Giambologna
Located in New York, NY
Mercury, circa 1700s. Bronze with green patina. Height with base: 58 cm (22 7/8 in.)
Category

Early 18th Century Baroque Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Latin American Colonial Cuzco School Holy Family with Sleeping Child
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful 18th Century oil on canvas Holy Family with Sleeping Child, Cuzco School. Good condition overall.
Category

18th Century Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Latin American Colonial Cuzco School Visitation
Located in New York, NY
Excellent condition. Cuzco School 18th Century oil on canvas of the Visitation.
Category

18th Century Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

You May Also Like

Tethered 1/9 - poised, male, nude, figure, mixed media, wall sculpture
By W.W. Hung
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Canadian sculptor WW Hung has chosen another poignant and powerful pose to explore the human condition in this contemporary mixed-media piece. A nude male sit...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Concrete, Steel

Indy Grab - athletic male figurative sculpture performing a skateboard trick
By W.W. Hung
Located in Bloomfield, ON
In exquisite detail, William Hung’s contemporary sculptures explore both human physicality and emotion, often capturing figures in motion. This dynamic ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Concrete, Steel

Joel Urruty - Swan Lady in Mahogany, Sculpture 2024
By Joel Urruty
Located in Greenwich, CT
Medium: Mahogany, concrete As an artist I strive to create elegant sculptures that capture the true essence of the subject matter. Form, line and surface are used as the visual lang...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

Joel Urruty - Swan Lady in White, Sculpture 2024
By Joel Urruty
Located in Greenwich, CT
Medium: Carved wood figure with white lacquer finish, concrete As an artist I strive to create elegant sculptures that capture the true essence of the subject matter. Form, line and...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

Linda Stein, Knight of Healing 615 - Contemporary Art Bronze Sculpture Edition
Located in New York, NY
Knight of Healing 615 from Linda Stein’s Knights of Protection series functions both as a defender in battle and a symbol of pacifism. This sculpture is made of bronze, has a pedest...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Concrete, Bronze

Architectural Concrete and Plaster Sculpture, 2025 - 'Aqueduc'
Located in Bruxelles, BE
"Aqueduc" is part of an edition of 5 pieces. Mattia Listowski (b. 1987, Paris, France) is a French sculptor, draughtsman, and photographer with French, Italian, and Polish origins, ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

Recently Viewed

View All