Cast Iron Sculpture With Green Patina The "trophy" By Le Faguays (1892-1962)

1. Description of the work: This green patinated bronze sculpture represents a male athlete seated on a black marble pedestal, raising a laurel branch high—a symbol of victory. The muscular body, stretched toward the sky, expresses the aspiration to excellence. The gaze turned toward his raised hand suggests pride and the quest for glory. The modeling is precise, faithful to the anatomy, imbued with classical idealism. The verdigris patina reinforces the antique effect, while the dynamic pose betrays an Art Deco influence, both stylized and monumental. 2. Artistic context: Created in the first half of the 20th century, this work is fully in line with the Art Deco movement, which valued pure forms, elegance, and contained power. In contrast to abstraction, Art Deco exalts the idealized human figure, often in connection with themes of sport, speed, and heroism. The laurel branch, typical of Antiquity, and the athletic style recall the modern Olympic Games and their universal dimension. The classical treatment of the body also evokes Greek sculpture, while adapting to the geometric rigor specific to Art Deco. 3. Biography of the artist: Pierre Le Faguays (1892–1962) Born in Rezé, Pierre Le Faguays was a French sculptor, designer, and decorator trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Geneva. He was part, along with Marcel Bouraine and Max Le Verrier, of the circle of great Art Deco sculptors. Using various materials (bronze, marble, terracotta), he specialized in athletic, feminine, and mythological figures. He sometimes signed under the pseudonyms "Guerbe" or "Fayral." His style combines dynamism, elegance, and balance. Faguays exhibited regularly at the Salon des Artistes Français and had a profound impact on the decorative aesthetics of the interwar period.