Raoul Larche, The Sea, Art Nouveau Pewter Sculpture

First presented at the Salon of the Société des Artistes Français in 1894 under number 3801, La Mer is a major work by Raoul Larche, a leading sculptor of the Art Nouveau movement. Produced in very limited editions — in pewter, bronze, or silver — the sculpture was immediately noticed: the Musée du Luxembourg acquired an example. That original piece now belongs to the collection of the Musée d'Orsay (inv. OAO 216).

The present example, cast in pewter with a contrasting matte and polished patina, comes from the former Philippe Dahhan collection. It was featured in the Artcurial Paris sale on December 16, 2003 (lot no. 57, p. 21 of the catalogue).

A large-scale sculpture with a spectacularly vertical composition, La Mer offers a dreamlike and dynamic interpretation of the marine world. From a terrace-like base formed of stylized rockwork emerges a swirling ensemble of shells, sea foam, and stone, from which a group of naiads or water nymphs rise from the waves in a highly expressive upward motion. The sculpted forms, alternately fluid and tumultuous, convey the energy and sensuality of the sea, captured in a moment of suspended movement.

An emblematic work of the symbolist and naturalist strains of Art Nouveau, La Mer embodies Larche’s virtuosity in rendering movement, texture, and the female form.