19th & 20th Century Sculpture
19th & 20th Century Sculpture
Ballerinas from a Private Collection
Jean-Auguste Barre
Fanny Elssler
Lot Closed
July 14, 11:08 AM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Ballerinas from a Private Collection
Jean-Auguste Barre
French
1811 - 1896
Fanny Elssler
signed and dated: A. Barre fct 1837, stamped: A. BARRE, numbered: 32, inscribed: L'Richard / EcketDurand / Fdeur Fcant, and titled: FANNY ELSSLER
bronze, dark brown patina
44cm., 17¼in.
Private collection, Europe
'One of the most successful attempts to have been made in miniature sculpture has been inspired by the loveliest ballerinas who have ever trodden the boards of the Opera.' (Théophile Gautier, La Charte de 1830, November 1836)
Barre's interest in theatre led him to portray many of the actresses and dancers of his day. The celebrated Austrian ballet dancer Fanny Elssler (1810-1884) is here shown in her most famous role, dancing the Chachucha, the stylised Spanish dance inserted into the ballet Le Diable boiteux. In the winter of 1836 Elssler was seriously ill and there was much concern for her life. It is possible that this may have motivated Barre to produce his model of the ballerina.
Théophile Gautier continued his praise of Barre's statuette:
'He has succeeded beyond measure in conveying all the provocative decorum that resides in the bend of the body, all the suppleness of the shoulder movements, the ardour in the legs, the soft curves of the neck. As for the statuette itself and its detailed execution, it is quite beyond reproach and of excellent workmanship. The accessories are ingeniously done, the lace and the effect of satin being admirably rendered, and the head, which is treated with remarkable delicacy, reproducing the delightful shape of the original and the arrangement and styling of the hair of which Mlle Elssler alone seems to have the secret.'
Barre's interest in theatre led him to portray many of the actresses and dancers of his day. The celebrated Austrian ballet dancer Fanny Elssler (1810-1884) is here shown in her most famous role, dancing the Chachucha, the stylised Spanish dance inserted into the ballet Le Diable boiteux. In the winter of 1836 Elssler was seriously ill and there was much concern for her life. It is possible that this may have motivated Barre to produce his model of the ballerina.
Théophile Gautier continued his praise of Barre's statuette:
'He has succeeded beyond measure in conveying all the provocative decorum that resides in the bend of the body, all the suppleness of the shoulder movements, the ardour in the legs, the soft curves of the neck. As for the statuette itself and its detailed execution, it is quite beyond reproach and of excellent workmanship. The accessories are ingeniously done, the lace and the effect of satin being admirably rendered, and the head, which is treated with remarkable delicacy, reproducing the delightful shape of the original and the arrangement and styling of the hair of which Mlle Elssler alone seems to have the secret.'