Papillon, A Bronze Figure
By Francis Renaud, circa 1912
Cast from a model by Renaud of a maiden wearing butterfly wings, inscribed Renaud
10 ¼ in (26 cm) high
cf. Harold Berman, Bronzes, Sculptors and Founders 1800-1930, Vol. III, 1977, p.610
10 ¼ in (26 cm) high
cf. Harold Berman, Bronzes, Sculptors and Founders 1800-1930, Vol. III, 1977, p.610
This bronze figure of a maiden in flowing robes with outstretched butterfly wings is the embodiment of the Art Nouveau movement in the late 19th and early 20th century. It is reminiscent of images of Loïe Fuller (1862-1928), a pioneer of the modern dance movement, who combined her natural and free dance movements with swirling silk costumes to create dynamic living sculpture, often reminiscent of outstretched wings or a butterfly in motion.
Francis Renaud (1887-1973) was a French sculptor noted for his monumental granite public memorials in Brittany, as well as his naturalistic and fluid bronze sculptural works in the Art Nouveau style. Born in Saint-Brieuc, Brittany, Renaud's expression of Art Nouveau was influenced by his tutor Jean Boucher. He was later associated with the Breton nationalist revival in the early 20th century, and his work evolved to more simplified and stylised works.
Francis Renaud (1887-1973) was a French sculptor noted for his monumental granite public memorials in Brittany, as well as his naturalistic and fluid bronze sculptural works in the Art Nouveau style. Born in Saint-Brieuc, Brittany, Renaud's expression of Art Nouveau was influenced by his tutor Jean Boucher. He was later associated with the Breton nationalist revival in the early 20th century, and his work evolved to more simplified and stylised works.
