French Art Nouveau-Symbolist Marble Sculpture/E. Derre "Leda & The Swan" by Emile Derre/Circa 1897-1904/ Rare Start Price USD 7,500.00 Current Price USD 7,500.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, December 04, 2008 End Time Sunday, December 14, 2008 Location San Francisco, CA See more about 'French Art Nouveau-Symbolist Marble Sculpture/E. Derre' Description "Leda and the Swan"French Art Nouveau-Symbolist SculpturebyEmile Derré (1867-1928)97 Fine and rare original hand-carved marble and oak sculpture by well-listed French- Flemish artist, Emile Derré (1867-1928).This piece is large and impressive and features a Symbolist - Art Nouveau depiction in marble of the famous Greek mythological erotic motif of Leda and the Swan. The bas-relief sculpture is signed by the artist, sculpted into the marble, lower right, "E.DERRE" The marble frieze is mounted in a heavy, solid, hand-made oak mount with base, decorated on the front with incised vines and leaves and the title "LEDA". This wooden mount is original to the piece and was made and carved by Emile Derré. Although undated, this piece was created circa 1900. This piece is large and heavy. Size: Overall, measures 18.5" wide, 12.25" tall, and 4.5" deep. The marble frieze measures 13.75" wide, 7.5" tall, and 2.25" deep. The sculpture weighs 26 lbs. Emile Derre is a very well-listed French - Belgian artist and is listed in many art references including: Davenports Art Reference a& Price Guide, ArtNet.com, ArtPrice.com, Benezit's Dictionary of Artists & Sculptors, and many books about European sculpture and architecture . Here is a short biography from various sources: Emile Derre(1867-1928)Emile Derré was a French-Belgian sculptor, born in 1867. Although exact biographical details concerning Derré are scarce, it is known that he exhibited his sculptures at the Salon des Artistes, in Paris (1899 and 1900), at the Paris Salon of 1904, and at the Salon d'Automne of 1905. The work that was exhibited in 1899 at then Salon des Artistes was known as 'the Chapiteau of French Kisses' and depicted four different representations of the kiss on different sides of a big floral sculpture. Today, this piece is in the collection of the Museum d'Orsay in the town of Roubaix. Indeed, 'the Kiss' seems to have been a symbolist thread running through Derre's sculptures, and a number of his architectural and monumental pieces depict the subject. Some buildings still standing in Paris are decorated with his architectural sculptures and one of his works is in the famous Jardin du Luxembourg, a park in Paris with many sculptures. In addition, his works are held in museum collections, important private collections of European art, and sold for good prices at auctions and galleries. This sculpture is beautifully realized and is a rare example of Emile Derré's original work. Both the marble image of Leda and the Swan, and the wooden mount, are finely crafted in the Symbolist - Art Nouveau style of the era. This piece, like many by Derré, show his influences: the rough treatment of form that evoke the manner of Augustus Rodin, the soft eroticism in the manner of Alphonse Mucha, and symbolist depiction of the figures in the style of Paul Gauguin, especially seen in the studied 'naive' way in which Leda's face and hair are designed. This piece is in excellent original condition, with no damages or repairs, and will be a museum quality addition to any collection of French sculpture or decoration. The carved oak mount has developed a beautiful rich patina over the years. FREE STANDARD SHIPPING IN THE UNITED STATES.INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING AT A REDUCED RATE ... PLEASE WRITE FOR QUOTE. PLEASE CLICK ON THE THUMBNAIL PHOTOS BELOW FOR A LARGER IMAGE           This work will be a museum quality addition to any collection of European sculpture or art and look great in any Art Nouveau, Symbolist, Arts and Crafts, or Impressionist decor. Please look carefully at all the photographs to view the details and condition of the piece. Please e-mail with any questions ... we always respond quickly! All of our pieces are guaranteed authentic, as described, and to your satisfaction, with a full money-back guarantee, including return shipping, if returned promptly and in good condition. Thank you for looking! ... Talisman Fine Arts Place a Bid!