Sculpture By Claire Jeanne Roberte Colinet (1885 - 1972), "oriental Dancer”

Claire Jeanne Roberte Colinet (Brussels 1885 - Asnières-sur-Seine 1972), “Oriental Dancer”, circa 1920.

Bronze, streaked marble.

Measurements: 35 x 35 x 20 cm

Signed “C J R Colinet” at the base.

The elegant bronze statuette is a work by the Belgian-born French sculptor Claire Colinet. The young dancer is depicted kneeling; her gaze is directed downwards, she is holding her breath and, at the same time, she places her hands under her collarbones, highlighting the threads of her long necklaces. This is perhaps the first position of an oriental-inspired choreography, a belly dance, as shown by the stage costume she is wearing: the skirt, tight at the waist, is surmounted by a richly finished belt; a sheer cloak falls over her shoulders, its soft drapery easily merging with that of the dress. Ballerinas were undoubtedly the artist’s favorite subject, which he portrayed in motion and created in bronze, his favorite material for the plastic effect it gives to fabrics and skin tones.

BIOGRAPHY

Claire Jeanne Roberte Colinet was born in Brussels in 1885. On an unspecified date, she emigrated to Paris, where she studied under the guidance of fellow countryman sculptor Josef Lambeuax. In 1913, she participated in the Salon des Artistes Français, which awarded her the following year with an honorable mention together with Demetre Chiparus. She became a permanent member of the Salon in 1929. Colinet created her sculptures in bronze, but did not disdain ivory, as demonstrated by the existence of some chryselephantine specimens; Her subjects, characterized by a strong dramatic charge, were mainly oriental dancers and odalisques, fully in line with the Art Deco style. From 1937 until the beginning of the Second World War she exhibited her works at the Salon des Independents, joining the Union des femme peintres et sculpteurs association. Unfortunately, other biographical information is unknown. She died in Asnières-sur-Seine in 1972.