Louis Ernest Barrias - Nature Revealing Itself To Science In Bronze, Cast By Susse Frères

Superb statue representing a woman, the allegory of nature, lifting the veil in which she is wrapped in order to undress. Entitled "the nature of self-veiling" or "the nature of unveiling to science", this Art Nouveau subject, both sensual and allegorical, was considered a true masterpiece when it was unveiled to the public. This statue was commissioned in 1889 to adorn the new Faculty of Medicine in Bordeaux. After completing the first version in white marble for the decoration of the building, Barrias designed a second, polychrome, intended for the main staircase of the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers in Paris. The latter is now kept at the Musée d'Orsay. Our bronze edition has several patinas with the golden drapery and is an edition produced at the very beginning of the 20th century by Susse frères éditeurs. Very fine chiseling. It is signed on the base "E. Barrias" and bears a signature of the founders "Susse frères éditeurs Paris" as well as the round stamp with again written "Susse frères éditeurs Paris". Perfect condition. Round base in bronze with brown patina. Biography: Louis-Ernest Barrias (1841-1905) is a French sculptor. He comes from a family of artists. Louis-Ernest Barrias entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1858, he abandoned painting to move towards sculpture under the direction of François Jouffroy. In 1864, he won the Prix de Rome, on the theme of The Foundation of Marseille, and was hired on the construction site of the Paris Opera. He subsequently produced numerous sculpted works, most of them in marble. In 1881, Louis-Ernest Barrias was awarded a medal of honor for fine arts and named knight of the Legion of Honor in 1878, then promoted to officer in 1881 and commander in 1900. The artist replaced Auguste Dumont at the Institute in 1884, then succeeded Jules Cavelier as professor at the École des beaux-arts, where his most notable students included Victor Ségoffin, Charles Despiau and Paul Landowski.