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

$42,000
£31,471.25
€36,893.51
CA$58,820.69
A$65,927.93
CHF 34,514.17
MX$813,511.29
NOK 433,562.48
SEK 408,119.97
DKK 275,227.81
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About the Item

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 noticed during the salons of the society of fine arts at the end of the 19th century. It made him a recognized and respected artist by his style and his technical mastery in various material bronze, original patinas, wood, glass, and stone ware. His early art was part of the Symbolism movement, a precursor of the art nouveau with often feminine themes. An original character of his (a "Mephistophelian" look), being almost reclusive in his art, Fix-Masseau is the very image of the total artist, mystical, focussed and concentrated. In 1894 he created Le Sécret, a tall female mystical figure holding up a box, her face receded almost behind it, like her naked body under a half opened coat. The figure is now at the Musée d'Orsay, copies such as this exist in bronze. This bronze became a key work of the Symbolism movement. He is also well known for his portraits as busts or masks, in bronze, marble, plaster, and ceramic. They are characterized by lively sculpted surface, close to Rodin's style. Most noticeable is his bust of Beethoven, 1902. The original bronze is housed in the Beethoven House in Bonn.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 24.4 in (61.98 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
  • Style:
    Art Nouveau (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Bronze,Patinated
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1894
  • Condition:
    Minor surface scuffs, otherwise excellent condition.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, US
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU7300235990242

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