Alfred Jean Foretay (1861-1944) “strawberries With Champagne”

Alfred Jean Foretay (1861-1944) "Strawberries with Champagne" Art Nouveau Bust Polychrome cast aluminum Signed "Alfred Jean Foretay" and initials "AFS" Height: 35 cm An elegant Art Nouveau bust depicting a young woman wearing a ruffled bustier, embodying the grace and decorative sensuality characteristic of the Belle Époque. Born in Morges, Switzerland, Foretay entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1877, where he studied under Alexandre Falguière. He actively participated in the Parisian Salons, receiving an honorable mention in 1891 and then a gold medal in 1904. The work is made of polychrome cast aluminum, an innovative technique developed in the mid-19th century, which was then more expensive than bronze. This choice of material lends the sculpture lightness, modernity, and subtlety in the rendering of details. The "Strawberries with Champagne" model perfectly illustrates the Art Nouveau aesthetic: idealized femininity, flowing lines, and refined textile treatment. In very good condition. Signed work — a representative collector's piece of French decorative sculpture from the Belle Époque.