Eugene Delaplanche Furniture

EUGÉNE DELAPLANCHE French, 1836-1891 "La Danse" Medium-brown patinated bronze Signed in cast E. Delaplanche Incised "F. Barbedienne Fondeur Paris" & numbered 225; sealed with A. Collas reduction cachet 29 3/8" H x 8" D x 9 1/4" W This is a very fine casting of La Danse after the original model by Eugene Delaplanche and executed by the Ferdinand Barbedienne foundry in Paris circa 1890-1910. It is titled in Kjellberg's monumental work as Zéphyr and is noted as Fée Aux Fleurs (The Flower Fairy) in Berman's volumes. The sculpture depicts a young nymph as she gracefully spins on a smooth dirt path while her diaphanous dress spins around her body while the the wind catches the bottom and carries it wildly into the breeze. La Danse was initially exhibited at the Salon of 1886 as no. 3768 in plaster and the following year he exhibited the same model executed as Salon catalogue entry no. 4000, a life-size marble. His final exhibition of the model was it at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1889. The sculpture was cast by Barbedienne in several editions, including 40 cm, 61.5 cm, 97 cm and 115 cm. The present example shows the careful attention of the ciseleur and shows beautiful chasing of the details. An attractive overall medium-golden-brown patina leaves the surface rich and full of life, being overall translucent and glowing throughout. Every detail is vivid, from the flowers and foliage held gently in her fingers, to the wrinkles of these fingers, her perfectly detailed face with a sharp little nose, eyes that are full of laughter and joy and a firm jaw. The naturalistic base is inscribed both "Delaplanche" and "F. Barbedienne Fondeur, Paris" and is numbered 225. EUGÉNE DELAPLANCHE Born in Belleville, France in February of 1836, Eugéne Delaplanche was a student of August Deligand and Francisque Joseph Duret...