René LETOURNEUR (1898-1990) - Lot 110

René LETOURNEUR (1898-1990) Nude with drape IV 1978 Bas-relief in Naxos marble Signed (on the edge of the terrace) : LETOURNEUR 59 x 18 x 5.5 cm On red marble base: 5 x 22 x 16.5 cm Naxos marble is extremely difficult to work with, as its coarse grain makes it fragile. Yet René Letourneur's mastery of direct carving is once again evident, and he achieves a degree of purity and delicacy never seen before. He liked to say that this direct-cut technique suited him perfectly, since "in marble, each of your gestures is definitive". It allowed him to avoid repeating himself, to "listen to the stone", and to be constantly creative. Two other sculptures from the Nude with Draped series are featured in this sale (cat. no. 83 and cat. no. 147).