Sculptures, Statues & Figures — Avant-Garde(s) Including Thinking Italian
Alighiero Fabrizio Boetti, known as Alighiero e Boetti, was an Italian conceptual artist, considered to be a member of the art movement Arte Povera.
Perhaps best known is Boetti's series of large embroidered maps of the world, called simply Mappa.
Arnaldo Pomodoro is an Italian sculptor. He was born in Morciano, Romagna, and lives and works in Milan. His brother, Giò Pomodoro (1930-2002) was also a sculptor.
Pomodoro designed a controversial fiberglass crucifix for the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The piece is topped with a fourteen-foot diameter crown of thorns which hovers over the figure of Christ.
François Auguste René Rodin was a French sculptor, generally considered the founder of modern sculpture. He was schooled traditionally and took a craftsman-like approach to his work. Rodin possessed a unique ability to model a complex, turbulent, and deeply pocketed surface in clay. He is known for such sculptures as The Thinker, Monument to Balzac, The Kiss, The Burghers of Calais, and The Gates of Hell.
Many of Rodin's most notable sculptures were criticized, as they clashed with predominant figurative sculpture traditions in which works were decorative, formulaic, or highly thematic. Rodin's most original work departed from traditional themes of mythology and allegory. He modeled the human body with naturalism, and his sculptures celebrate individual character and physicality. Although Rodin was sensitive to the controversy surrounding his work, he refused to change his style, and his continued output brought increasing favor from the government and the artistic community.
François-Xavier Lalanne was a French painter and sculptor. He studied sculpture, drawing and painting at the Académie Julian. Since the 1960s he has worked as a couple with his wife Claude Lalanne.
André Cadere is a Romanian and French conceptual artist.
Born in Warsaw, Poland, where his father was Romanian ambassador, Cadere emigrated to France in 1967. Living in Paris since 1971, along with Daniel Buren, Neale Toroni and François Morellet, he belongs to the most important figures of French minimalism and concept art of the 1970s. Cadere's work combines a simplified formal sculptural language with a conceptual approach that questions the workings of the art system, a combination that became important to a younger generation of artists in those years.
André Cadere is best known for his series of Barres de bois rond, multicolored wooden bars, begun in 1970 and continued for eight years until his death from cancer at the age of 44. The colors of the bars on these posts form a kind of code. His work not only challenged the traditional art-making practices of the time, but was also exhibited in unconventional places. It is known cases when he uninvited them at exhibitions of other artists, thus attracting attention to his work. For these shenanigans, the artist has been called "Stick Man." Although these works fall between abstract painting and minimalist sculpture, they have been an integral part of Cadere's performances and interventions.
Victor Servranckx was a Belgian artist renowned for his pioneering contributions to abstract painting and design. Born in Diegem in 1897, Servranckx's artistic journey commenced at the Brussels Royal Academy of Fine Arts, where his studies spanned from 1913 to 1917. It was here he forged a significant connection with René Magritte, leading to their collaborative work "Pure Art: A Defence of the Aesthetic" in 1922.
Victor Servranckx's art is distinguished by its embrace of cubism, constructivism, and surrealism, showcasing a dynamic interplay of geometric forms and innovative design principles. His artistic endeavors were not confined to painting alone; he delved into abstract sculpture and collage, contributing significantly to various art magazines and influencing future generations of artists.
Noteworthy is Victor Servranckx's international recognition, evidenced by his participation in exhibitions across Europe and the United States. His works were exhibited alongside notable figures like Marcel Duchamp and Fernand Léger, highlighting his importance in the art world. Despite a mixed reception in Belgium, his influence endured, culminating in a retrospective at the Musée d'Ixelles shortly before his death in 1965.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Servranckx's oeuvre represents a vital chapter in the history of abstract art, offering a window into the evolving artistic trends of the early 20th century. His works, such as "Opus 17-1922" and "Opus 30-1922 (Factory)," are emblematic of his innovative approach and are held in high regard in collections worldwide, including the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza.
If Victor Servranckx's artistic vision resonates with you, consider staying updated on exhibitions and auction events featuring his works. Subscribing to updates will ensure you're informed about new opportunities to explore and acquire pieces by this influential artist.
François-Xavier Lalanne was a French painter and sculptor. He studied sculpture, drawing and painting at the Académie Julian. Since the 1960s he has worked as a couple with his wife Claude Lalanne.
François-Xavier Lalanne was a French painter and sculptor. He studied sculpture, drawing and painting at the Académie Julian. Since the 1960s he has worked as a couple with his wife Claude Lalanne.