Dancer with Ball
Hippolyte Fournier
Art Deco
Bronze with marble base
15 x 8 x 4"
$5,600.00 plus shipping
Available
Description
Stunning bronze sculpture, "Dancer with Ball," by Hippolyte Fournier. This exquisite piece captures a nude female dancer in a moment of poised grace, her arm elegantly extended to balance a sphere, frozen in time yet radiating vitality. The bronze, adorned with a rich, multi-colored patina, sits atop a sleek black marble base, creating a striking contrast that enhances its visual appeal.
Hippolyte Fournier (1853–1926) was a renowned French artist, celebrated for both his paintings and sculptures. Trained at the Académie Julian under Jean-Paul Laurens, he exhibited at the prestigious Salon des Artistes Français from 1881, earning medals at Universal Expositions. His work evolved from traditional portraiture and landscapes to embrace symbolism and, later, the Art Deco style, reflecting his versatility and connection to early 20th-century art movements.
This sculpture embodies the Art Deco movement's celebration of modernism and glamour, with the dancer's pose highlighting the era's fascination with movement and the female form. The sphere she holds might symbolize balance, the world, or the timelessness of art, suggesting a deeper metaphor for the artist's craft—balancing creativity and discipline, or the cyclical nature of life and art.
Crafted from bronze with a dark-brown patina and mounted on a black marble base, this piece likely dates to around 1925–1930, a period when Art Deco flourished. Its historical and artistic value lies in its representation of interwar cultural trends, making it a coveted addition for collectors of Art Deco artifacts. Whether you're an art enthusiast or seeking a sophisticated home accent, this sculpture's impeccable craftsmanship and timeless appeal will captivate and inspire.
An interesting detail is that while Fournier is better known for his paintings, his Art Deco sculptures, like this one, showcase his adaptability to contemporary styles, adding depth to his legacy beyond traditional portraiture.
