Faust - Alphonse Darville - Signed Terracotta

Faust, a legendary figure from German folklore, made famous by Goethe's work, is depicted here full-length, holding a human skull in his hand. A scholar whose ambitions were never satisfied, he made a pact with the devil Mephistopheles to obtain knowledge, power, and earthly pleasures. This pact binds his soul in exchange for these gifts. Faust embodies humanity's quest for absolute knowledge and the dangers of excess.

Alphonse Darville (born January 14, 1910, in Mont-sur-Marchienne and died November 21, 1990, in Charleroi) was a Belgian sculptor, medalist, and draftsman. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels before receiving the Godecharle Prize in 1931 and the Premier Grand Prix de Rome in 1935. Founder and director of the Charleroi Academy of Fine Arts (1946-1972), he created numerous monumental sculptures, bas-reliefs, and medals exhibited in Belgium. His work blends classical, expressionist, and sometimes surrealist influences, and he is known for public monuments in Charleroi and elsewhere.

Faust, a terracotta sculpture signed on the base "Darville" and dated June 25, 1932.
Good overall condition.

Height: 51 cm