Alexandre Vibert French, d. 1909

This bronze is in very good condition. There is some surface dirt evident especially on the ermine trim around her hem. Her ivory hands are loose. There is a horizontal fissure on the bridge of her nose. There are very minor chips to red marble base.
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Alexandre Vibert was a pupil of Emmanuel Frémiet, and like Frémiet, he devoted a considerable part of his talents to the making of decorative objects. He was essentially an exponent of Art Deco and his sculptures, like his decorative objects, explore the decorative effects of varied colours and materials. In joining ivory with gilt bronze and glass gems he was working within the French vogue for chrystelephantine, or multi-colour and material sculpture, set by Jean-Léon Gérôme and Charles-Henri-Joseph Cordier amongst others. The medieval costume of his subject with her ermine-hemmed gown and elaborate headdress refer to another trend in late nineteenth century: the revival of historical legends brought to life in the glory of a myriad decorative details. It is unclear which heroine Vibert represents in the present figure. Perhaps she is Petrarch's unattainable love Laure de Noves, of whom Vibert created a bust in ivory and bronze for the Salon in 1907.

RELATED LITERATURE
Lami, vol. IV, pp. 355-356; Dahhan, pp. 384-389