"At the Finish Line, " Rare Art Deco Bronze Runner with Nude Male, Le Faguays

Beautifully cast and finished with a rich, brown patina, this extremely rare bronze by Pierre Le Faguays depicts a nude runner racing at top speed, his hea...

This highly rare bronze of a nude male athlete preparing to left a heavy kettlebell weight was sculpted by an Austrian artist, Franz Seifert, in 1922. Although Seifert is known for his nude figures straining to accomplish physical tasks -- such as carrying a large bucket or splitting a stone -- this sculpture is the only example known to exist. A decade after this sculpture was cast, Seifert carved a marble portrait of Siegfried Marcus, inventor of the gasoline-powered car, for a monument in Vienna, which includes a nude male figure in bas relief racing forward on the upper edge of an automobile wheel. He also created a large sculpture grouping honoring Empress Elizabeth...

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...

Art Deco bronze sculpture athlete with spear signed by Pierre Le Faguays. The sculpture has a rich green patina with shades of brown. France 1927. This bronze is illustrated on page...