Albert Gaston Guilloux French, 1871-1952

The marble is in very good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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."

Albert-Gaston Guilloux grew up in a family of sculptors and studied in Paris under Coutan and Falguière. He was a native of Rouen and a marble version of Eve retrouvant le corps de Abel, his most celebrated work, is in the Musée des Beaux Arts there. Another stands before the town hall in the Corsican town of Piana.

Guilloux's concept of Eve bending tenderly over her dead son, her hand over his stilled heart, illustrates the tragedy with a fluid sensuality. Abel's body is without a trace of the violence preceding the scene, but twists and droops over the rocks in silent repose. Eve's grief is quiet rather than desperate and expressed in the hand shielding her eyes and in her posture as her hair cascades softly over Abel's body. Rather than stressing the narrative Guilloux has concentrated on presenting two sensitive and accomplished nudes, imbued with a gently melancholic sensibility.

RELATED LITERATURE
Bénézit, vol. 6. p. 580