Émile-Antoine Bourdelle (1861-1929) - Lot 105

Émile-Antoine Bourdelle (1861-1929) Anatole France (1844-1924) Plaster bust, working plaster Titled "ANATOLE FRANCE" on the front Signed "ANTOINE BOURDELLE" below the right shoulder Bears the artist's monogram and the date "1920" below the left shoulder H. 46 cm Overwhelmed by Anatole France's novel Le crime de Sylvestre Bonnard, Antoine Bourdelle became an admirer of the author. Following their meeting, the sculptor created a portrait of the writer. In his diary, Bourdelle recounts the posing sessions and the budding friendship between the two men. In response to the artist's work, Ana- tole France declared, "What labor, Bourdelle! What frame constructions! What attention given to the figures of volumes! What interior architecture! In this portrait, Bourdelle conveys the intrinsic beauty of his model. Related works: - Antoine Bourdelle, Anatole France, 1919, bronze, H. 70.3 x W. 46 x D. 37 cm, Paris, Musée Bourdelle, inv. MB br. 1155. - Antoine Bourdelle, Anatole France, 1919, bronze, H. 70 x W. 42 x D. 33 cm, Paris, Musée d'Orsay, inv. RF 3173. - Antoine Bourdelle, Anatole France, 1919, plaster, H. 69 x W. 46 x D. 30 cm, Lyon, musée des beaux-arts, inv. 1949- 18. Related literature : - Ionel Jianou, Michel Duffet, Bourdelle, Paris, Arted-Editions d'art, 1965, illustrated model pl. 53, pp. 33-34, p. 111.