Henri Levasseur (French, 1853-1934) Antique Bronze Sculpture of Maiden, c. 1900

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Henri Levasseur (French, 1853-1934) Antique Bronze Sculpture of Maiden, c. 1900:
$5195.00

HENRI LEVASSEUR (FRENCH, 1853-1934) FINE ANTIQUE BRONZE SCULPTURE
Maiden w/ Rosary and Book, Paris c. 1900
Item #1401YWB29PQA substantial and striking sculpture in bronze by Henri Levasseur, this is an exceptional and rather scarce work. It captures the solitary Maiden, the utmost example of chastity with a garb that stretches from her neck to the edges of her wrists, flowing down to obscure all but the tips of her shoed toes. Her gaze is thoughtful and calm, displaying in her face and manner a sense of humility that exudes through her relaxed demeanor, while exhibiting the strong shoulders of a proud and confident woman. In her arm she clasps a small book wrapped in the complex twists of her rosary while her other hand is opened and outstretched. Her dress is a most lovely, intricate and exacting representation of a full length dress; the deep folds and curls of the fabric are crisp and nearly photographic. It is difficult to say what element is absent from the left hand; it should be an element that stretches from her shoulder to her open fingertip, a tiny stub at the shoulder and tip of her finger.The presence of this work cannot be overstated - finished in a deep and brilliant dark-brown patina, it is a fine work for anyone passionate about Romantic works in bronze of the late 19th and early 20th Century.Born in Paris April 16th, 1853, Henri Louis Levasseur studied extensively under Eugene Delaplanche and Emile Thomas. He began exhibiting at the Salon des Artistes Francais in 1881, quickly being noticed as an exceptional sculpture when he received distinction during the exhibit of 1882, receiving third-place medal in 1885, a second-place medal in 1888, awarded at the Exposition Universelle with bronze in 1889, a first-class medal in 1898 and silver medal at the 1900 Exposition Universelle where he presented a Jeanne d\'Arc in bronze, silver, gold, fine pearls and rubies. His works were cast extensively by Societe des Bronzes of Paris, less frequently by Siot-Decauville and also by Thiebaut, while a body of his work was cast without identifying foundry marks.Further Reading and Notes:

Bronzes of the Nineteenth Century, Dictionary of Sculptors, Kjellberg, p. 437-8 [biographical and foundry notes]
Benezit, Dictionary of Artists, vol. VIII, Grund, p. 923 [biographical and noteworthy sales information]
Bronzes: Sculptors & Founders, Berman [large body of work represented in all four volumes; present example not recorded]

Measurements:31 11/16\" high [80.5 cm]; base 10\" wide x 9 3/8\" deep

Condition Report:
Missing element in open hand (connecting from finger tip to shoulder); missing end of the rosary, the open loop visible under the hand that holds the book; abrasions to the corners of the base; light patina wear, though overall the patina is in exceptional condition throughout. Please review all images in the slideshow for a full overview of condition.