French school. Art Nouveau period, ca.1900.

French school. Art Nouveau period, ca.1900.
Bust of "Cléo de Merode".
Sandstone.
Measurements: 56,5 cm. height.

This French bust made in the fin-de-siecle, represents Cléo de Mérode, one of the most emblematic figures of the Belle Époque. The work shows the dancer with a delicate headdress that envelops her hair, like a scarf or small cap, ornamented with a large rose on each side, a resource very much in keeping with the decorative taste of the period. The wide neckline of the dress leaves the shoulders uncovered, while the hair, loose and wavy, escapes in locks that provide movement and naturalness. The young woman tilts her head slightly, a gesture that accentuates her introspective air; her expression, with a deep and sensual gaze, conveys a mixture of sweetness, elegance and reserved magnetism.

Around her neck she wears a fine choker, and under her breasts there is a wide belt that encircles her blouse with its soft, natural folds. The careful form of the torso and the delicacy of the modeling capture the aura of refinement that made her an icon of her time.

Cléo de Mérode (1875-1966) was a famous French dancer and one of the great muses of the Belle Époque. She entered the Paris Opera at a very young age and soon stood out not only for her dancing skills, but also for her unique beauty, which made her the subject of countless portraits, sculptures, photographs and caricatures. She was admired by artists, writers and aristocrats, and her image became a symbol of elegance and modernity. Her famous hairstyle with middle parting and side curls set a trend among the women of the time. Beyond her social fame, Mérode maintained a long artistic career, evolving from classical dance to international performances and retaining until old age a reputation for refinement, reserve and professionalism that contributed to her legend.