Maurice Guiraud Rivière

MAURICE GUIRAUD RIVIÈRE (Toulouse, 1881- 1947).
"Auriga".
Bronze.
Signed.
Measurements: 34 x 84 x 28 cm.

In "Áuriga" it is clearly seen how Guiraud-Rivière's work, varied and extensive, is characterized by a remarkable technical virtuosity and a faithful interpretation of the principles of Art Deco, especially his taste for movement and figures in full action. The piece in bidding shows a chariot driver wrapped in a cloak flapping in the wind, while guiding a vehicle driven by two horses raised on their front legs, an image that conveys energy, speed and strength. This type of compositions places Guiraud-Rivière as a reference within the decorative repertoire of the 20th century, a legacy that continues to be admired both for its formal excellence and for its significant contribution to the applied arts of the time.

Maurice Guiraud-Rivière was a French painter, draughtsman and sculptor closely linked to the Art Deco universe. Nephew of the sculptor Théodore Rivière, he studied at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied under the direction of Antonin Mercié. From 1907 his career began to gain visibility thanks to his participation in the Salon des Artistes Français and the Salon des Humoristes. His sculptural work, particularly representative of Art Deco, took the form of numerous figures and statuettes made in bronze and using the chryséléphantin technique. Many of these pieces were distributed by the prestigious house Etling, famous publisher of sculptures since 1909 and a reference of the movement. Between 1911 and 1923 he also collaborated with the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, for which he designed several porcelain models. His creative versatility extended beyond sculpture: he cultivated graphic humor and developed a pictorial side with an orientalist accent, as evidenced in the watercolors he produced during his trip to Morocco in 1933. After his return, he produced advertising posters for Chemins de fer du Maroc and Air France, integrating modern design resources with an attractive and dynamic visual language.