F. De Luca

F. DE LUCA (active at the beginning of the 20th century).
"Footballer", 1934.
Bronze with brown patina.
Measurements: 40 x 28 x 32 cm.

The sculpture that we present here is an interesting example of modernity and artistic renovation, since it combines the growing interest in sports -and, in particular, in soccer, which by then was already enjoying great popularity and popularity- with the fascination for the movement that the sculptors of the time tried to capture and immortalize in their works.

As F. De Luca rigorously achieves in this example, early 20th century sculptures of soccer players tended to depict players in full motion, with dynamic poses that captured the energy and modernity of the new sport. Artists depicted soccer players running, kicking, or dominating the ball, dressed in the characteristic uniforms of the era: tight-fitting jerseys, above-the-knee shorts, and high socks. Although many were made in a naturalistic style inherited from 19th century academicism, they progressively incorporated more stylized and elegant lines typical of Art Deco. The aim was not only to represent a match, but to convey ideals of youth, physical strength, discipline and speed.

This sculpture condenses and exemplifies the modern fascination with sport, which during the Art Deco era ceased to be understood solely as aristocratic entertainment and became a symbol of the essential values of modernity: energy, discipline, dynamism, health, competitiveness and physical beauty. France was one of the great epicenters of this phenomenon, and art immediately incorporated this new exaltation of the body and movement.