Charles Despiau

CHARLES DESPIAU (Mont-de-Marsan, 1874 - Paris, 1946)
"Le Faune", 1912.
Bronze.
Signed.
Exhibitions: "European sculpture of the 20th century", European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM), Barcelona, 2014.
Measurements: 98 cm. height.
In 1912, Despiau was still working closely with Auguste Rodin (he was his assistant between 1907 and 1914). In this work, a more direct influence of the master can be seen in the rough and vibrant surface, which retains traces of manual modeling. The Faun is a recurring theme in art that allows us to explore the male anatomy in more relaxed or sinuous postures. Here, the figure appears supported, cross-legged, creating a very elegant helical rhythm.
Charles Despiau became one of the most prominent French personalities of the interwar period. He trained at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris and in the studio of Louis-Ernest Barrias. Between 1907 and 1914 he also worked in Rodin's prestigious workshop, but the outbreak of World War I forced him to abandon the execution of a piece for a monument dedicated to the memory of Puvis de Chavannes, "The Genius of Eternal Rest", which he had commissioned from his master. During those years, he was associated with a group of sculptors gathered around Lucien Schnegg, such as An toine Bourdelle, Robert Wlérick, Léon-Ernest Drivier, François Pom pon, Louis Dejean or Alfred Jean Halou. However, it was not until 1927,
when, on the occasion of a major private exhibition at the Brummer Gallery in New York, Despiau achieved definitive success and recognition. Despiau's works can be found in numerous private collections around the world. As for museums, Despiau's works can be found, in particular in the National Museum of Modern Art in Paris, the Museum of Modern Art of the city of Paris, the Museum of Mont-de-Marsan, as well as numerous museums abroad, including the National Museum of Fine Arts in Algiers.