Emmanuel Villdnis, ‘Nelly’, French Art Nouveau Patinated Bronze Bust, ca. 1890

Signed under the left shoulder: ”CerNelille”.

Charles Vital-Cornu (French, 1851 - 1927), Jouffroy’s and Pils’ pupil, he acquired a skillfulness mastery in carving marbles and producing bronzes. He used several patinas in his production. Indeed, if his pieces' embodiments are often golden-brown colored, the hollow part are darker. His figures, hands, faces, and bodies are of a great quality. Charles Vital-Cornu had participated in numerous annual ‘‘Salons’’ organized in Paris by ‘‘la Société des Artistes Français’’ where he got several awards, such as a mention of Honor in 1880 and 1881, a third class medal in 1882, a travelling grant in 1883, a second class medal in 1886, a bronze medal at the 1889 World Fair and, finally, a silver medal at the 1900 World Fair at the Grand palace...

Janotte, an Art Nouveau, patinated bronze bust of a young lady with head scarf. Dark brown patination. Set on an integral plinth. Signed Villanis under shoulder. Signed Villanis u...

Captivating late 19th century French bronze bust of a beautiful woman, enhanced by the variegated rich brown patination and excellent tactile surface detail, raised on an integral bronze base with raised title to the fore. Signed ?E Villanis and further raised on a breche griotte stepped and shaped marble plinth ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Height: 33 cm Width: 16 cm Depth: 11 cm Condition: Excellent Original Condition circa: 1890 Materials: Bronze Book Ref: Emmanuel Villanis by Josje Hortulanus-de Mik Page No: 17 SKU: 8616 ABOUT Puccini's Opera - La Bohème SYNOPSIS - A group of friends are living a Bohemian life in Paris and trying to make their livings creating art. Rodolfo, the writer, falls in love with the seamstress, Mimi, while Marcello, the painter, and Musetta, the singer, are the on-and-off-again couple by their sides. When the four are happy, they spend their time celebrating life and love. However, Mimi is revealed to be very ill, and Rodolfo struggles to come to terms with the fact that she will inevitably die. Rodolfo and Mimi break up, and months later, Musetta discovers Mimi extremely sick and close to death. She brings Mimi to Rodolfo and Marcello's apartment. Rodolfo immediately takes her in and tries to nurse her back to health, but he is too late. Almost as soon as the two are reunited and have professed their love for one another, Mimi succumbs to her illness and dies. Emmanuel Villanis Emmanuel Villanis was an industrious man. He is believed to have created some 200 to 250 pieces. His oeuvre pre-eminently consisted of busts and full body statues. Most of these were manufactured in bronze, but there are also models in white metal and terra cotta. Different patinas were used. The bronzes were mainly cast by the Societé de Bronzes de Paris and can be recognised by the round stamp...