Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 11

Felix Charpentier Antique Bronze Sculpture "L'Improvisateur"

Name: Felix Charpentier Antique Bronze Sculpture "L'Improvisateur"
Brand: Félix Charpentier
Rating: 4.9 (42 reviews)

$4,780List Price

About the Item

An exceptional antique bronze sculpture capturing the mythological Pan with his flute, the work is an expression of the naturalism that overtook the arts in the late 19th century. Originally exhibited in plaster at Salon in 1887, "L'Improvisateur" was cast in bronze and was exhibited in subsequent years in bronze - the original sculpture captures Pan entirely nude, the full size sculpture visible in Charpentier's home town of Bollène, the garb being later added to allow more commercial appeal for the work. It was offered in three dimensions: 14", 23 1/2" and 31" by Colin and Cie and were carried in the catalogue of Colin until Charpentier's death in 1924. The present example is a very fine representation of the cast, exquisitely detailed throughout to capture the loose leafage and foliage throughout his ruffled hair, the sharp features of his face and strong jaw, the rough natural flute grasped in his two hands, the crisp detail of his hands and the tenons of his fingers as they stretch through his wrist, every muscle of his toned body and the twisting and chaotic furl of his loin cloth. The patina has some natural wear and is carefully preserved under beeswax. The front of the base is titled "L'Improvisateur" and the right side of the base is signed "Felix Charpentier" and is sealed with the Colin foundry mark. This example is held by prominent museums around the world and is in an absolutely wonderful state of preservation. For serious collectors of French bronze sculptures, this is a precious example, arguably one of Charpentier's finest works and certainly the one that catapulted him to recognition. It is an outstanding investment grade selection. Born in Bollène, France in 1858, Felix Maurice Charpentier moved to Paris, studying under Pierre-Jules Cavelier at the École des Beaux-Arts. He began exhibiting at Salon in 1882 with allegorical works, but it wasn’t until 1887 that his works gained any real recognition; “L’Improvisateur” won him the second-class medal at the Salon and was subsequently acquired by the Musée Du Luxembourg. He exhibited extensively, winning first and second class medals, eventually being decorated with the title of Officier of the Legión d’Honneur. An avid sculptor of the Art Nouveau spirit, a great sense of force, power and expression characterize his works of art, much of his work seeking to understand and communicate the curiosity of nature that so permeated the period. His monumental works are perhaps his most recognizable contributions, L’Art Contemporain at the Grand Palais and two reliefs “La Navigation” and “Le Vapeur” decorating the facade of the Gare de Lyon. Charpentier died in Paris in December of 1924. Under "Additional Resources", a page excerpt from Berman's work on sculpture catalogues "L'Improvisateur" in some detail. Notes: Bronzes: Founders and Sculptors 1800-1930, Vol IV, Berman, p. 953 Bronzes of the Nineteenth Century: Dictionary of Sculptors, Kjellberg, p. 202-203 Art Bronzes, Forrest, p. 67-68, p. 473 E. Benezit: Dictionary of Artists, vol. III, Grund, p. 808 Condition: Slight "sink" to plug affixing flute to his lips; patina wear to handled areas: elbows, forearms, fingers, hair tips, where the flute joins his lips. Overall excellent condition.

Creator:
Félix Charpentier (Sculptor)
Dimensions:
Height: 13.57 in (34.47 cm)Width: 7.25 in (18.42 cm)Depth: 5.25 in (13.34 cm)
Style:
Art Nouveau (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
Early 20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Early 20th Century
Condition:
See condition notes.
Seller Location:
Shippensburg, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: 1403RGP05-Q1stDibs: LU105901242626

20th Century French Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Gilt bronze Battle Of The Flowers Statue by Félix Charpentier, 20th Century

$16,225 Sale Price

20% Off

H 26.38 in W 14.18 in D 10.24 in

Georges Charpentier Figurative Bronze Sculpture

By Georges Charpentier

Located in Norwalk, CT

Georges Charpentier, French (b. 1937) With characteristic effortless grace, Charpentier depicts a figure walking with one hand tucked to the side, face tilted thoughtfully towards t...

Category

20th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Georges Charpentier Figurative Bronze Sculpture

$1,100

H 26 in W 8.25 in D 11.5 in

F. Charpentier, 19th Century Nude Bronze of a Young Girl Dancing

By Félix Charpentier

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality 19th century bronze study of a young girl nude dancing, entitled; 'La Chanson' (The Song) Signed; Félix Charpentier (10 January 1858 in Bollène in Vaucluse – 19...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

F. Charpentier, 19th Century Nude Bronze of a Young Girl Dancing

$15,103

H 40.56 in W 17.72 in D 10.63 in

"Le Secret" Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture by Pierre Felix Masseau

By Pierre Fix-Masseau

Located in Chicago, US

Fix-Masseau set up his workshop in Paris where he attracted the admiration of Rodin. The latter was unable to convince him to join his studio. The quality of his sculptures was notic...

Category

Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

"Le Secret" Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture by Pierre Felix Masseau

$42,000

H 24.4 in W 6 in D 6 in

Antique Bronze Sculpture Naked Boy

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR

Antique Bronze Sculpture Naked Boy

Category

20th Century French Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique Bronze Sculpture Naked Boy

$2,000 Sale Price

20% Off

H 13.78 in W 4.73 in D 5.12 in

Detailed Bronze Bust, Sculpture of a Man, by Felix Georg Pfeifer, 1929

Located in Berlin, DE

Detailed bronze bust, sculpture of a man, by Felix Georg Pfeifer, 1929 Felix Georg Pfeifer (born November 9, 1871 in Leipzig; died March 6, 1945 there) w...

Category

20th Century German Busts

Materials

Bronze

Detailed Bronze Bust, Sculpture of a Man, by Felix Georg Pfeifer, 1929

$4,795 Sale Price

20% Off

Free Shipping

H 14.57 in W 9.85 in D 11.42 in

Antique Eagle Bronze Sculpture

Located in New York, NY

A circa 1900 English bronze eagle sculpture on marble base. Measurements: Height: 17" Width: 15" Depth: 9"

Category

Antique Early 1900s English Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique Eagle Bronze Sculpture

$2,800

H 17 in W 15 in D 9 in

Bronze Sculpture, Double Figure, Antique, Signed F Sanzel Large

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A large sculpture of angel in bondage held by the Devil image. Great patinas and mounted on red marble with brass bottom plate. Has the signature F...

Category

Antique 1890s European Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Sculpture, Double Figure, Antique, Signed F Sanzel Large

$4,800

H 31 in Dm 12 in

Antique Bronze Sculpture of a Woman

Located in Newtown, CT

Antique Bronze Figure of a Woman, 25" high. Good condition with light marks signed Aly Bev.

Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique Bronze Sculpture of a Woman

$1,950

H 25 in W 6 in D 6 in

Antique Neoclassical Bronze Trident Sculpture

Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire

An antique neoclassical style patinated bronze trident sculpture, mounted on a limestone base. Originally a sculptural fountain, this mid 19th century English piece now stands as a ...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Neoclassical Mounted Objects

Materials

Stone, Limestone, Metal, Bronze

Antique Neoclassical Bronze Trident Sculpture

$3,261

H 24.41 in W 7.88 in D 5.91 in

More From This Seller

View All

“Love Conquers” French Bronze Sculpture by Felix Sanzel circa 1870

Located in Shippensburg, PA

FELIX SANZEL French, 1829-1883 "L'Amour vainqueur" [Love Conquers] (1865) Patinated and burnished bronze signed in cast "Fx Sanzel" a lifetime cast circa 1870 Item # 306PRK21E An ...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Romantic Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

“Love Conquers” French Bronze Sculpture by Felix Sanzel circa 1870

$8,500

French Antique Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture of Knight by François A. Clémencin

Located in Shippensburg, PA

FRANÇOIS ANDRÉ CLÉMENCIN French, 1878-1950 "Celui qui fut pris" (The one that was taken) Patinated & polychromed bronze Signed on base "A. Clemencin" Item # 110BKP22X An exquisi...

Category

20th Century French Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

French Antique Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture of Knight by François A. Clémencin

$4,900

Antique Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture of "La Danse" by Eugene Delaplanche

By F. Barbedienne Foundry, Eugène Delaplanche

Located in Shippensburg, PA

This is a very fine casting of La Danse after the original model by Eugene Delaplanche and executed by the Ferdinand Barbedienne foundry in Paris ci...

Category

20th Century French Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture of "La Danse" by Eugene Delaplanche

$6,700

French Antique Bronze Sculpture “Standing Greyhound” by Emmanuel Fremiet

By Emmanuel Fremiet

Located in Shippensburg, PA

EMMANUEL FREMIET French, 1824-1910 "Chien Levrier" Patinated bronze signed E. Fremiet in naturalistic base cold-stamped 85, a Charles More cast Item # 411PRB18X An exquisite mo...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Romantic Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

French Antique Bronze Sculpture “Standing Greyhound” by Emmanuel Fremiet

$6,000

French Antique Bronze Sculpture “Great Dane” by Georges Gardet

By George Gardet

Located in Shippensburg, PA

GEORGES GARDET French, 1863-1939 Recumbent Great Dane Patinated bronze signed in cast "G. GARDET", cold-stamped "865 K" and "FRANCE" Item # 311KOG07P A good casting of Gardet's Rec...

Category

20th Century French Romantic Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

French Antique Bronze Sculpture “Great Dane” by Georges Gardet

$2,500

French Antique Bronze Sculpture of Husky Dog by Emmanuel Fremiet

By Emmanuel Fremiet

Located in Shippensburg, PA

A good lifetime casting by Charles More numbered 215, it captures the entirely relaxed spirit of the recumbant husky dog with its bushy tail bouncing and eye...

Category