Emile-Antoine Bourdelle - Demosthenes

The human figure has always been at the center of artistic research. Since the classical age, the naturalistic rendering of human anatomy has been a primary goal of painters and sculptors throughout history. The representation of the human body has permeated every era and stylistic movement. Indeed, in addition to the naturalistic interpretations of the Renaissance and various classicisms, which aimed at a truthful and detailed representation of the human body, the human figure has also been a central theme in the new aesthetic concepts brought about by the historical avant-garde, such as Cubism, Expressionism, and Surrealism.

This ink is connected to Antoine Bourdelle's most distinctive aesthetic concepts and is closely linked to his sculptural vision. Like his contemporaries, Bourdelle also feels a need for archaism in his artistic practice, but, unlike the Cubists or Expressionists, he does not seek it in primitive languages. Bourdelle looks first to Greek art, which for him is an essential starting point. Another fundamental element then comes into play: French Romanesque-Gothic art, which is present in the accentuated diagonal line of his figures.

Emile-Antoine Bourdelle was born in Montauban in 1861 and died in Le Vesinet in 1929. He trained with Rodin, where he served as his assistant for a long time. Around 1900, his sculptural production began to shift toward a Hellenistic archaism, resulting in various statues of classical subjects. After his death, Rodin became the leader of early twentieth-century French sculpture. He also created many portraits and mythological frescoes. Most of his works are preserved in his Parisian studio, now a museum.

The transaction takes place with maximum security for both the seller and the buyer. We take care of the conformity (provenance, authenticity, state of conservation) of the work and handle the shipping.
Returns are possible no later than 14 days after receiving the order.