"Female Bust In Terracotta Signed Denys Puech"
Denys Puech (1854 – 1942)Terracotta sculpture depicting a beautiful, elegant woman in her Sunday best from the french provincial bourgeoisie.
Rare original work on the market, superbly executed by the Aveyron artist in 1882, 2 years before he won the Grand Prix de Rome in 1884.
Good condition, no missing, no regluing or restoration, wear to the patina.
Provenance : From Aveyron.
Denys Puech (1854–1942)
Coming from a family of farmers, he started as an apprentice with the artisan marble maker François Mahoux in Rodez. In 1872, after two years of training, he continued his apprenticeship in Paris with François Jouffroy then with Alexandre Falguière and Henri Chapu, while taking evening classes at the Beaux-Arts. In 1881, he obtained his first success with the 2nd Grand Prix de Rome for Tyrtée chantant les Messéniennes. In 1883, he recorded a new success with the 2nd Grand Prix de Rome for Diagoras dying of joy on learning of the triumph of his two victorious children at the Olympic Games. In 1884, he finally won the Grand Prix de Rome for the injured Mezence. From then on, he carried out numerous official commissions throughout the Third Republic. He sculpted, among others, the busts of Jules Ferry (1895), Sainte-Beuve (1898), Émile Loubet (1901) and Mussolini (1925). In all, 573 works are listed. He was elected a member of the Academy of Fine Arts in 1905. He was named Chevalier of the Legion of Honor on January 17, 1908. He held the position of Director of the Villa Medici from 1921 to 1933. He married on May 13, 1908. 1908 Princess Anina Gagarin Stourdza (June 1, 1865 - April 14, 1918), painter. He is the brother of Louis Puech, Deputy of the Seine from 1898 to 1932, Minister of Public Works from November 3, 1910 to February 27, 1911. In 1903, he founded a Museum of Fine Arts in Rodez. The building, inaugurated in 1910, was designed in consultation with the architect Boyer to highlight his sculptures. Wikipedia sources
Le Magazine de PROANTIC
TRÉSORS Magazine
Rivista Artiquariato