Igor Mitoraj (1944–2014) - Sculpture, Perseus - 48 Cm - Bronze, Travertine

Beautiful bronze bust by Igor Mitoraj (1944-2014), titled Persée, the French name for Perseus, the mythological Greek hero. The work is mounted on a travertine base and shows Mitoraj’s iconic vision of the classical body as a poetic archaeological fragment.

The sculpture represents a fragmented male torso, with the head and arms deliberately absent. The surface is enriched with incised lines and geometric details, including a small relief-like square motif on the chest, typical of Mitoraj’s refined dialogue between antiquity and modernity.

This example has a particularly attractive and distinctive patina: a nuanced dusty green, turquoise, brown and dark oxidized surface, giving the bronze the presence of an excavated ancient fragment. This irregular, archaeological-looking finish is one of the most beautiful qualities of the piece and makes it visually more atmospheric than cleaner or more uniform versions.

The work is signed “Mitoraj” and numbered C181/1000 HC on the reverse. The mention HC means hors commerce, an edition generally reserved outside the standard commercial edition.

Igor Mitoraj is one of the most recognizable figurative sculptors of the late 20th and early 21st century. His work is celebrated for its fragmented torsos, bandaged faces and classical references, reinterpreting Greco-Roman sculpture through a modern vision of beauty, memory and time.

Details:
Artist: Igor Mitoraj
Title: Persée
Date/period: Contemporary
Material: bronze with green patina, travertine base
Signature: signed “Mitoraj”
Numbering: C181/1000 HC
Dimensions without base: approx. H. 38 x W. 26.5 x D. 8 cm
Base height: approx. 10 cm
Total height: approx. 48 cm

Condition:
Good overall condition. The bronze is well preserved, with an intentionally irregular patina combining dusty green, turquoise, brown and darker oxidized tones. These variations are part of the distinctive visual character of the sculpture.

The travertine base displays its natural porous texture, together with a few small chips and minor surface marks, particularly along the edges. These remain discreet and do not affect the stability or overall presentation of the work. Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.