Georges Charles Coudray

GEORGE CHARLES COUDRAY (France, 1864 - 1932).
"Les Nénuphars".
Marble.
Signed.
Measurements: 63 cm (height).
"Les Nénuphars", one of Georges Coudray's most emblematic sculptures, captures the ethereal essence of a naiad with a melancholic face and delicate beauty, her long hair adorned with garlands of water lilies that seem to float between nature and myth. This work is a hymn to feminine fragility and mystery, a reflection of the artistic sensitivity that characterizes the sculptor.
Born in Paris, Coudray was an outstanding pupil of masters such as Thomas and Falguière, and his talent shone in the prestigious Paris Salons between 1883 and 1903. His specialty was statues, busts and portrait medallions, often imbued with a fascination for the oriental and exotic, which conferred an air of elegance and refinement. Among his most memorable creations are "Aquila" (1892), a vibrant bronze statuette; the delicate terracotta bust "Les Nénuphars" (1899); and the sublime marble figure "Iris" (1902).
However, the piece that consolidated his fame was the enigmatic plaster sculpture entitled "Tahoser", inspired by the novel Roman de la Momie by Théophile Gautier. This work, which depicts an Egyptian woman playing the harp with fascinating grace, was presented at the 1892 Salon and quickly reproduced in bronze, conquering the taste of critics and public alike.