Sculpture - The Love Of Art , Emmanuel Villanis (1858-1914) - Bronze

A rare bronze sculpture , an allegory of painting , entitled "The Love of Art" , by the sculptor Emmanuel Villanis (1858-1914) . E.Villanis excelled in portraiture , and his sculpture is emblematic of Art Nouveau , both in its subject matter and in its fluid forms and sensitive expressions .
The young painter is depicted with her hair in a chignon , wearing a long , voluptuously draped dress , accentuated by a belt that enhances the raw charm of the work .
In her right hand , she holds a paintbrush , and in her left , a palette accompanied by two other brushes .
She embodies a figure of freedom and passion , an icon of art .
The base of the sculpture also refers to the arts , the sculptor chose to represent the woman , on the four pillars of the Eiffel Tower , a way for him to magnify her and accentuate her audacious side .
The sculptor's signature , "E. Villanis" is incised on the side of the base .
This is an early edition sculpture , dating from the early 20th century , Art Nouveau period .
Perfect condition .

Height : 72 cm

Emmanuel Villanis (1858-1914)

Emmanuel Villanis was a famous sculptor from a family of Italian origin . 
He is recognized as one of the leading figures of the Art Nouveau period .

In 1871 , the young man enrolled at the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts in Turin .
He studied under the sculptor Odoardo Tabacchi . 
Upon completing his studies, his teacher encouraged him to exhibit : his bust "Alda" was thus presented in Milan in 1881 . 
He fled Italy because of the War of Independence . 

In 1885 , Emmanuel Villanis settled in Montmartre , a district of Paris he never left . 
The artist's renown was built on his production of female figures : "Aida" , "Judith" , "Sappho" , "Delilah" , "Lucretia" , "Cinderella" .
Villanis's work brings together the great heroines of opera , literature , mythology , and the Bible . 
He also explored certain types : the Bohemian woman , the Chatelaine , and the Parisian woman  .
Several allegories , including "Painting" and "Sculpture" .
His use of patinas further enhances the finesse of his lines , makingEmmanuel Villanis one of the major sculptors of Art Nouveau .

E. Villanis participated in the Universal Exhibition of 1889 in Paris , and in the Chicago Exhibition of 1893 .