René Varnier

RENÉ VARNIER (France, active in the late 19th - early 20th century).
"Ballerina with handkerchief", c. 1925.
Gilded and silvered bronze. Marble base.
Signed.
Measurements: 37 x 21 x 11 cm.
This sculpture, signed by René Varnier, is a representation of the dynamism and sensuality characteristic of the decorative art of the early twentieth century, especially the Art Deco movement. The piece shows a dancer in full movement, gracefully elevated on one leg while the other rises with an elegant flexion that suggests both strength and lightness.
The female figure, attired in a short pleated skirt and gold embellishments that simulate jewelry at the neck, wrists and ankles, holds a scarf aloft that curves in a dynamic arc over her head. This element not only emphasizes the choreographic gesture, but also introduces a visual line that guides the viewer's gaze throughout the sculpture. The dancer's face, slightly tilted upward, conveys a sense of ecstasy or inspiration, reinforcing the idea of dance as an elevated artistic expression.
The figure rests on a stepped marble base, with solid geometry and a composition of contrasting horizontal bands in black and cream, recalling the taste for luxurious materials and geometric design typical of Art Deco.
Narratively, "Ballerina with Scarf" captures a fleeting moment of beauty in motion, freezing the ephemeral expression of the dancing body with timeless elegance. The piece can be read as a celebration of the female body, of creative freedom and of the harmony between form and ornamentation.