G. Bessi (1857-1922) Bronze Art Deco Dancer

Large Art Deco bronze sculpture signed G. BESSI (Giuseppe Bessi 1857-1922) depicting an elegant Belle Époque dancer dressed in the style of an Egyptian goddess, reminiscent of Thaïs or Semiramis, adorned with jewelry evoking the era's taste for luxury and exoticism. It rests on a precious green onyx base. Good overall condition. Dimensions: 35 cm high x 20 cm wide / Weight: 7 kg.

Giuseppe Bessi studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. In 1879, he founded his own workshop in Volterra. He is considered one of the most important representatives of Italian salon sculpture, specializing in statues and busts in alabaster, marble, onyx, and bronze. His work is a combination of Neoclassicism, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco. He was the Director of the Volterra Art School, where he taught until his death. This school is unique in the world and its reputation knows no bounds; students are trained there to master the art of alabaster sculpture. Indeed, the natural alabaster found around Volterra has been extracted and processed since at least the sixth century BC. Its alabaster works have been exhibited and awarded prizes at the World's Fairs in Paris, Turin, and Saint-Louis. Its success is international, and many of its works are part of private collections and displayed in prestigious museums such as the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg. The Ecomuseum in Volterra holds the largest collection of its works. In honor of its achievements, a street in Florence bears its name.