Carrara Marble Sculpture, Late 19th – Early 20th Century

Carrara marble sculpture, late 19th – early 20th century

Art Nouveau style
(89 × 25 × 25 cm)

A refined sculpture in the round carved from white Carrara marble, reflecting the aesthetic sensibilities of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during the height of the Art Nouveau movement. The work depicts a young female figure in a composed and graceful pose, captured in a moment of quiet introspection.

The composition stands out for its balanced proportions and the naturalness of its movement: the body, slightly bent, is draped in soft, flowing fabric that elegantly hugs the forms, leaving part of the torso exposed. In her right hand, the figure holds a basket brimming with fruit, a symbolic element that evokes the themes of nature, abundance, and the cycle of life—motifs particularly dear to Art Nouveau decorative art.
The work fits within the decorative style of the Belle Époque, in which the female figure became a favored subject, interpreted according to the canons of grace, harmony, and naturalism. The reference to nature and the softness of the lines fully reflect the Art Nouveau style, with influences that bridge the gap between academic sculpture and modern sensibilities.