Capaldo. XXème «cute»sculpture «mignon»

CAPALDO, a sculptor known for his polychrome terracotta works. He made sculptures in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, often depicting graceful female figures or animal scenes. The polychrome terracotta sculpture by Capaldo titled Mignon appears to depict a young woman with a dreamy gaze, dressed in a peasant dress. She holds a small flower in her left hand and a bundle of sorts in the other, which could suggest a journey or wandering. The title Mignon probably refers to the heroine of Goethe's novel Wilhelm Meister, a young orphan kidnapped by gypsies and often depicted in 19th- and early 20th-century art. Her story inspired many works, including Ambroise Thomas' opera Mignon (1866). Thus, this sculpture probably illustrates an idealized vision of Mignon, a melancholy and dreamy young girl, a symbol of innocence and romanticism. The artist Capaldo seems to be part of this artistic tradition, representing a sensitive and poetic female figure.