Gaudez, The Morning Star, Late 19th Century, Bronze

This large bronze sculpture, entitled "The Morning Star," signed A. Gaudez, is an allegorical work from the late 19th century, cast in art bronze with a warm, nuanced patina. It depicts a slender female figure, draped in a flowing gown that follows the movement of her body, standing on a stylized globe. Her right arm, raised towards the sky, once held a star, and her left hand resting on her chest, suggest a posture that is both triumphant and introspective, evoking spiritual elevation, dawn, or the quest for light. At the base, a plaque bears the inscription "Morning Star by A. Gaudez, Out of Competition." The finesse of the modeling, the dynamism of the pose, and the quality of the casting testify to the skill of Adrien Étienne Gaudez, an academic sculptor renowned for his lyrical compositions and heroic figures. This piece, both decorative and symbolic, embodies the union of technical virtuosity and a universal message, and remains highly prized by collectors for its evocative power and rarity on the market.

Adrien Étienne Gaudez (1845–1902) was a French sculptor renowned for his allegorical bronzes and public monuments. A student of François Jouffroy at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he made his debut at the Salon in 1864 and exhibited regularly until the end of the century.

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Period: Late 19th Century

Very Good Condition

Dimensions:
Width: 15 cm
Depth: 15 cm
Height: 56 cm