DALLAS, TX.- Leading
Heritage Auctions Dec. 7 Fine European Art Auction is Auguste Rodins monumental Éternel printemps (est. $400,000-$600,000). Depicting two lovers in a passionate embrace, this magnificent bronze is a star within a constellation of masterworks from the likes of William Adolphe Bouguereau, Gerald Brockhurst, and Louis Valtat.
Cast between 1899 and 1901, Éternel printemps is one of just 58-recorded Ferdinand Barbedienne casts of the celebrated sculpture in its second state, first reduction. The dazzling play of light on the lovers limbs accentuates the effect of movement, which was of paramount importance to Rodin, Heritages European art specialist Marianne Berardi said.
It would be no exaggeration to say this bronze is a page out of Rodins own biography. At the time he conceived it, the sculptor had fallen head over heels in love with the young sculptor Camille Claudel. She drove him wild and this bronze is a particular testament to that, Berardi said.
The sale also features other notable bronzes including another Rodin, Homme assis, etude B (est. $10,000-$15,000), in which Rodin gave full rein to the sensual manipulation of clay ultimately cast into bronze. In bold contrast to Rodins work is Gerhard Marcks Amazon (est. $10,000-$15,000), which emerged out of the modernist idiom of the Bauhaus with its smooth planes and minimalist surface treatment. Marcks figure presents the ancient women warrior as a figure whose weapons in the 20th century may be more cerebral than physical, by accentuating her stare over her physicality. In addition, Aristide Maillols Petit torso, from 1910 (est. $30,000-$50,000), is a sculpture that derives its motif from the antique but conceives its form as simplified geometries, which gives it a modern appearance.
English painter Gerald Brockhursts alluring 1937 portrait of movie star Merle Oberon is another highpoint of the auction (est. $40,000-$60,000). Oberons exotic beauty was her stepping-stone to a successful film career including her iconic role as Cathy in Wuthering Heights, opposite Sir Laurence Olivier as Heathcliff. The painting comes to Heritage directly from the artists family, European art specialist Janell Snape stresses, adding, What a pleasure it is to include such a masterful portrait in our sale; a great combination of classic Hollywood glamour and stunning technique!
French 20th century painting makes a strong appearance in the auction. Louis Valtats Mère et enfants (est. $30,000-$50,000) beautifully demonstrates Valtats mastery of formalist experiments of the avant-garde, while retaining traditional concepts of figuration and representation. Jules Pascins sensitive Fille à la mandoline (est. $20,000-$30,000) dates from the artists early Parisian period and shows a strong indebtedness to Matisse and the Fauves. Othon Coubines powerful Femme Nue (estimate $10,000-15,000), Jean Jansems monumental Exercise au tabouret (est. $15,000-$25,000), and Jean-Pierre Cassigneuls colorful bouquet of tulips on a window ledge titled Fleurs, (est. $12,000-$18,000) are other notable French offerings.
A handsome group of academic landscapes and genre scenes round out the sale with noteworthy examples such as William Adolphe Bouguereaus La leçon de flute ($200,000-$300,000), Tito Contis A demure beauty (est. $10,000-$15,000), Alexander Daiwailles lush landscape with cattle (est. $8,000-$12,000) and James Walsham Baldocks sporting picture (est. $10,000-$15,000).