Georges Coudray

GEORGES CHARLES COUDRAY (France, 1864 - 1932).
"Les Nénuphars, ca.1900.
Terracotta bust.
Signed.
For "R & Cie", Paris.
Shows wear and some chipping.
Measurements: 60 x 32 x 27 cm.

"Les Nénuphars" is one of the most celebrated sculptures by Georges Coudray. It represents a naiad with a beautiful melancholic face and long hair adorned by garlands of water lilies.

Born in Paris, Coudray trained as a disciple of Thomas and Falguière, and exhibited his works at the Salon from 1883 to 1903. He specialized in statues, busts and medallions with portraits, often of oriental inspiration. Some of his most notable works are "Aquila", a bronze statuette from 1892; "Les Nénuphars", a terracotta bust from 1899; and "Iris", in marble, from 1902. However, his most celebrated and reproduced piece was a plaster sculpture entitled "Tahoser", inspired by the novel "Roman de la Momie" by Théophile Gautier, depicting an Egyptian woman playing the harp. This sculpture was exhibited at the 1892 Salon, and soon reproduced in bronze.