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"Modern Dancer", Extremely Rare Depiction of Male Nude, Bronze, poss. Leon Barte

About the Item

A rare and superb depiction of modern dance in the era of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and modern dance pioneers such as Martha Graham, this figure of a modern male dancer, his arms and legs fully extended and his head thrown back with abandon, was sculpted by Emmanuel Cavacos in the late 1920s. The subject may have been Leon Barte, an important dancer and actor on Broadway in the 1920s and 30s, whose lithe figure was also sculpted by Harriet Frishmuth in the 1920s. Cavacos was born in Greece and came to America as a young man, but after receiving a fellowship which permitted a trip to Paris to study, he spent much of his life sculpting in France. He was especially fascinated with dance and dancers, depicting them again and again, though the lithe, slender figure here is highly scarce. This figure is reminiscent of the work of Harriet Frishmuth, who was active in the same period. The bronze is signed and shows the Bisceglia foundry mark; the foundry was set up in 1907 by Mario Bisceglia in France with two of his brothers, and is known for the beauty of its patinas.
  • Creator:
    Emmanuel Andrew Cavacos (Sculptor)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10.5 in (26.67 cm)Width: 13 in (33.02 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
  • Style:
    Art Deco (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Bronze,Cast
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1928
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU865141687912

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