Josef Maratka

Salome (veil dancer as a nude) - Bronze, dark patina, sculpture, female, 20th C.

Unknown

"Fiona" - one of the series "Dreams about Sea". Unique cast bronze sculpture with patina. Representing a woman inspired by the sea. The elongated, stylized form emphasizes elegance...

"Sofia" - one of the series "Dreams about Sea". Unique cast bronze sculpture with patina. Representing a woman inspired by the sea. The elongated, stylized form emphasizes elegance...

Inspired by amateur archaeologists such as Heinrich Schliemann who discovered Troy and by past elaborate hoaxes like that of the Piltdown Man, Joshua travels the world performing sta...

Resting. A bronze sculpture of a resting ballet dancer figure by Benson Landes. For Benson Landes, sculpture was most definitely a passion. His oeuvre of cast bronzes is populated with ‘off duty’ ballet dancers, rather wistful women, often caught in moments of solitary repose. Such an obvious appreciation of the grace and elegance of the female form was, no doubt, heightened by 25 years spent in the couture business, which Benson entered at the age of 14. The sculptor admitted that his time as an apprentice at his father’s clothing workroom and factory was given rather reluctantly, as he always harbored desires to become an artist. The young boy’s sense of responsibility was clearly equal to his creativity, though, as Benson knuckled down and learned the family trade. At the age of 18, however, a 2 year conscription to the RAF provided one of the few opportunities for Benson to experience artistic freedom. The possibilities of otherwise unobtainable materials such as pastels, paper, perspex and plaster of paris fuelled his ingenuity at the base’s well-stocked workshop. On completion of his RAF service, Benson briefly returned to the clothing factory now owned by his father. After his marriage to Ruth at 21, in an effort to provide for his new wife, Benson decided to set up his own business. Starting with a single sewing machine and tailoress, Benson and Ruth soon expanded the business. By the 1970s they employed over 50 staff and supplied to prestigious stores such as Dickens & Jones and Harrods. As the decade progressed, however, fashion turned towards less structured, more casual garments; a trend that prompted Benson to retire and spend time with his first love, sculpture. Buoyed by the liberty he enjoyed in his studio, Benson succeeded in selling some of his first pieces of sculpture, a collection of sporting trophies...

A stunning sculpture of a young ballet dancer 'Repose' by Benson Landes - full of elegance & poise. For Benson Landes, sculpture was most definit...

'Home Alone' by Benson Landes is a Solid Bronze Sculpture of a Nude Figure. Benson Landes sculpted dancers, as he loved their elegance - this passion is communicated to the viewer perfectly in this incredible sculpture. For Benson Landes, sculpture was most definitely a passion. His oeuvre of cast bronzes is populated with ‘off duty’ ballet dancers, rather wistful women, often caught in moments of solitary repose. Such an obvious appreciation of the grace and elegance of the female form was, no doubt, heightened by 25 years spent in the couture business, which Benson entered at the age of 14. The sculptor admitted that his time as an apprentice at his father’s clothing workroom and factory was given rather reluctantly, as he always harbored desires to become an artist. The young boy’s sense of responsibility was clearly equal to his creativity, though, as Benson knuckled down and learned the family trade. At the age of 18, however, a 2 year conscription to the RAF provided one of the few opportunities for Benson to experience artistic freedom. The possibilities of otherwise unobtainable materials such as pastels, paper, perspex and plaster of paris fuelled his ingenuity at the base’s well-stocked workshop. On completion of his RAF service, Benson briefly returned to the clothing factory now owned by his father. After his marriage to Ruth at 21, in an effort to provide for his new wife, Benson decided to set up his own business. Starting with a single sewing machine and tailoress, Benson and Ruth soon expanded the business. By the 1970s they employed over 50 staff and supplied to prestigious stores such as Dickens & Jones and Harrods. As the decade progressed, however, fashion turned towards less structured, more casual garments; a trend that prompted Benson to retire and spend time with his first love, sculpture. Buoyed by the liberty he enjoyed in his studio, Benson succeeded in selling some of his first pieces of sculpture, a collection of sporting trophies shown at the 1981 Open Golf Championship, to Garrards, the Crown Jewellers. This success quickly brought important contacts and new commissions. Benson always maintained that being able to work as a sculptor is a unique privilege. Usually in the company of a model, he often worked in the studio against the soothing background of classical music. Indeed, now eminently collectable, Benson’s work provided much comfort after the death of Ruth. Benson said that the things that mattered in life are those of beauty; he truly believed that romance and elegance are necessary shields to what he saw as the sometimes too hurried manner of life today. Benson sadly passed away in the autumn of 2013. Solid Bronze Nude Figure...

Solid Bronze Figurative Ballet Dancer Sculpture 'Petticoats' by Benson Landes is a remarkably delicately made sculpture - you can barely believ...

'Sprite' by Benson Landes is a Contemporary Solid Bronze Nude Figurative Sculpture. The remarkable elegance conveyed is breath-taking and so representative of the ballet form. This ...

'Stepping Stones' by Benson Landes is a Solid Bronze 20th Century Nude Ballet Dancer - she is so light on her feet and beautifully elegant. For Benson Landes, sculpture was most definitely a passion. His oeuvre of cast bronzes is populated with ‘off duty’ ballet dancers, rather wistful women, often caught in moments of solitary repose. Such an obvious appreciation of the grace and elegance of the female form was, no doubt, heightened by 25 years spent in the couture business, which Benson entered at the age of 14. The sculptor admitted that his time as an apprentice at his father’s clothing...

ANTONIUCCI VOLTI "RECLINGING WOMAN" BRONZE, SIGNED, NUMBERED 2/6 VALSUANI FOUNDRY ITALiAN, WORKED IN PARIS, C.1960 6.5 X 18.5 X 10.5 INCHES Antoniucci Volti 1915-1989 Sculptor, painter, and printmaker Antoniucci Volti was born in Albano, Italy, in 1915. His family lived in Italy until 1920 when the family moved to France. Volti studied at the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs in Nice from 1928 to 1920. By 1932 the young artist had won a gold medal for two polychrome bas-reliefs before going to Paris, where he entered the studio of Jean Boucher at the Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris at the age of only fifteen. After serving in the Second World War, when he was interned as a prisoner of war in Bavaria, he returned in poor health to Paris, only to find his studio destroyed. From 1947 he showed work at various Paris Salons and, in 1954 and 1955 at the Brussels and Antwerp Biennales. In 1957 a retrospective of his work was organized at the Museum Rodin in Paris. He died in Paris in 1989 Works by Volti are in leading museums such as the Musée National d'Art Moderne, Paris. Antoniucci Volti is one of the most important Late Modern...