"At the Finish Line, " Rare Art Deco Bronze Runner with Nude Male, Le Faguays

Pierre Le Faguays (1892-1962) An Impressive and very large 43" high French Art Deco bronze figure of a young athletic man, adorned in scanty attire, almost nude, standing proudly atop a lofty and stylized rocky plinth. His stance exudes strength and confidence as he balances himself gracefully. With arms outstretched in a fluid movement, the sculptor portrays a sense of dynamic energy and prowess. Beautifully cast in a dark green, brown /black variegated patina. In his elevated grasp, the man holds a laurel wreath, raised high above his head. This symbol of victory and triumph represents the pinnacle of achievement. Through the artists eyes, it further conveys the athlete's exceptional skill and dedication to his craft. The artist's attention to detail and skillful execution breathe life into the sculpture, capturing the essence of athleticism and the human form. This remarkable bronze figure epitomizes the grace, power, and triumphant spirit of Olympic competition. It stands as a testament to the artistic brilliance and mastery of Pierre Le Faguays and serves as a timeless tribute to the pursuit of excellence in art as well as in sports. Bibliography : Bronzes, sculptors and founders by H. Berman, Abage, Vol 11, pg 425 Art Deco and other figures,by Bryan Catley,pgs 192-201 Art Deco sculpture by Victor Arwas, Academy Editions, 1992 pgs.121-127 Art Deco sculpture by Victor Arwas, Academy Editions,1975 pg. 38 Dictionnaire des peintres, sculpteurs, dessinateurs et graveurs” by E. Benezit. Gründ 1999, pg 426 The dictionary of sculptors in bronze” by James Mackay, Antique collectors club Dictionnaire illustré des sculpteurs animaliers & fondeurs de l’antiquité à nos jours, by Jean Charles Hachet. --------------------------- Pierre Le Faguays, born 1892 in Nantes, France, gained renown for his innovative approach to sculpting dancers, drawing inspiration from the Tanagra statues. In 1927, he received a prestigious medal of honor for his exceptional work. A close companion of Max Le Verrier, Pierre collaborated extensively with the Le Verrier foundry, which produced numerous pieces of his art. In addition to his given name, he also employed two pseudonyms, Fayral and Guerbe, which were derived from the surnames of his mother and wife respectively. As a leading sculptor, Pierre's creations earned consistent praise for their exceptional craftsmanship and meticulous attention to anatomical precision. His artistic endeavors extended beyond sculpture, as he also designed pieces for Goldscheider in Paris, working under the label "La Stele." Pierre's versatility encompassed various mediums, including ivory, bronze, spelter, stone, wood, alabaster, and ceramics. Notably, he received artistic education alongside his friend Max Le Verrier, studying together at the Beaux Arts in Geneva. Throughout their lives, Pierre maintained strong friendships with both Marcel Bouraine and Max Le Verrier, with the latter's foundry being instrumental in producing many of Le Faguays' statues. The bond formed...

Art Deco bronze sculpture by French Artist Pierre Le Faguays, France 1930. Bronze on green marble base. This sculpture is illustrated in: Art Deco and other figures by Brian Catley, ...

Bronze with green patina of a young woman taking off to throw a ball The black and white granite base is signed Le Faguays Wear of time to the patina, a small chip on the base ...

PIERRE LE FAGUAYS French, 1892-1962 "The Lock" Verdigris patinated bronze signed verso P Le Faguays, sealed with LN Paris foundry cachet Cold-stamped BRONZE and numbered 118 28 1/2" W x 8" D x 16 7/8" H An incredibly fine example of "The Lock" by Pierre Le Faguays, the model is a perfect embodiment of essence of the Art Deco period capturing a canal worker at the moment of full torsion as he uses the weight of his body to rotate the huge wooden lever. Cast by the foundry of J. Lehmann, stamped to the reverse with his circular cachet noting "LN Paris JL" (which stands for "Les neveux de J. Lehmann"), the present example is the large version of this model and a difficult example to find. It features a fabulous surface texture and complex overall verde patination with hints of brown, caramel, black and yellow. PIERRE LE FAGUAYS Born in 1892 in Nantes, France, Pierre Le Faguays would become famous for his contribution to the Art Deco movement. His education under the guidance of James Vibert at the Geneva University of Art and Design was pivotal in shaping his artistic style. Le Faguays' work began to gain recognition shortly after his first exhibition at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1922, a key event that marked the onset of his most productive years. In 1926 and 1927, Le Faguays received honorable mentions that served as public acknowledgments of his growing stature. His choice of materials was diverse, ranging from bronze and terracotta to more exotic mediums like ivory and alabaster. His sculptures often depicted lithe female figures and many of his models are reportedly influenced by the terracotta figurines of ancient Tanagra in Greece. Le Faguays regularly collaborated with his peers in the burgeoning and highly active artistic community in France, contemporaries that were also working to promote the new modernist vision that became recognized as the Art Deco movement. He co-founded the "Stele and Evolution Group" with Maurice Bouraine, working alongside artists such as Sibylle May...

This authentic Art Deco bronze sculpture depicts a graceful nude dancer holding a Thyrsus, created by the renowned French artist Pierre Le Faguays around 1930. Cast in gilt and patin...

Art deco bronze sculpture athlete with bow, archer. By Pierre Le Faguays. Bronze with green patina on Portor marble base. France 1930. Signed and with foundry mark Les Neveux de Lehm...

A stunning green-patinated bust of Beethoven, sculpted by Pierre Le Faguays for Max Le Verrier. A masterpiece of French Art Deco from the 1920s, it captures the composer lost in the ...

Art Deco bronze sculpture athlete with spear signed by Pierre Le Faguays. The sculpture has a rich green patina with shades of brown. France 1927. This bronze is illustrated on page...

An exceptional and exceedingly rare Art Deco bronze sculpture titled “Lysis”, designed by Pierre Le Faguays under his well-known pseudonym Fayral, and cast by the Max Le Verrier foun...

Art Deco bronze bookends nymph and faun by Pierre Le Faguays. Patinated bronze on a Portor marble base with glass inlay. France 1925. These bookends are...