Original Terracotta Sculpture: Signed Art Deco Portrait Of Paul Valéry

An antique, original terracotta sculpture depicting Paul Valéry, shown from the front, his face cupped in both hands. The composition is based on a well-known photograph of the poet taken around 1935 by the Belgian photographer Charles Leirens, in which Valéry strikes precisely this meditative pose, his face framed by his hands.

The broad forehead, mustache, pronounced eyebrows, and deeply etched facial features make Paul Valéry immediately recognizable. The hands frame the face, conveying the image of the poet and thinker absorbed in his thoughts, in a meditative and profound pose.

The surface retains traces of the modeling process, with irregularities, imprints, and retouches left visible. The execution is meticulous and detailed, particularly in the hair, the wrinkles on the forehead, and the fingers. The expression and emotion are rendered with finesse; the subject is vividly brought to life, and the artist clearly knows his craft—alas, the signature remains indecipherable.

The reverse side is hollowed out and displays the hand-crafted texture of an original work.

Paul Valéry (1871–1945), a French writer, poet, and essayist, was elected to the Académie française in 1925. His face has been the subject of numerous painted, photographic, and sculpted portraits.

Date: circa 1935

Technique: modeled and fired terracotta, bas-relief.

Subject: portrait of Paul Valéry.

Signature: signed on the lower edge; signature to be identified.

Inscription: “PAUL VALERY” on the front.

Dimensions: 24.5 × 17.5 cm.

Condition: generally good condition. Minor marks, some material loss at the lower corner of the right eye; otherwise in good condition—see photos.