Charles Malfray (1887-1940) - Lot 205

Charles Malfray (1887-1940) Summer, 1937 Original shellac-lacquered plaster. Signed: "CH. MALFRAY". Inscribed in pencil (inside) "13". 43 x 15 x 10 cm In 1936, the French government commissioned Malfray to create a work entitled Le Printemps, to adorn the vestibule of the Théâtre de Chaillot. While working on this commission, Malfray created a counterpart to his figure: Summer. Malfray seems to have created it for himself, as there is no indication that l'Été was intended for a specific location. From the mid-1930s onwards, supported by Jean Zay, Malfray created new works at an accelerated pace, in which the modernity of his style asserted itself. In 1967, when the Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Orléans paid tribute to him, his work from the 1930s was particularly highlighted. An obvious work from this period, the plaster Summer Torso was chosen to feature on the cover of the retrospective catalog. Related literature - Françoise Galle, Catalogue raisonné des sculptures de Charles Malfray, DESS dissertation, Université Paris I, directed by Robert Julien, 1971, nos. 136-138. - Hommage à Charles Malfray, Orléans, Musée des Beaux-Arts, September 2 - October 9, 1967. - Hommage aux Amis des musées d'Orléans, 30 ans de dons (1972-2002), Orléans, Musée des Beaux-Arts, June 19-October 6, 2002, no. 28.