Delilah, By Emmanuel Villanis, Circa 1900

Superb orientalist bust by Emmanuel VILLANIS (1858-1914) representing the heroine DALILA, a great female figure known for having succeeded in extracting the secret of her strength from Samson who loves her. Our sculpture of extraordinary quality of execution bears the stamp of the “Société des bronzes de Paris” foundry. It is patinated and partially gilded. French work. Circa 1900 Dimensions: height 44 cm width 28 cm depth 20 cm Material: Patinated and gilded bronze Origin: France Condition of the object: Perfect condition Signatures: E. Villanis and stamp of Société des bronzes de Paris Our pieces are sold with certificate of 'authenticity. Shipping methods depend on your location. Contact us to find out the amount and prepare the organization of delivery. Biography Emmanuel VILLANIS (1858-1914) Emmanuel Villanis comes from a family of Italian origin. In 1861, his parents returned to Italy to settle in Piedmont. They had fled Italy because the war of independence was breaking out, under threat from Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1871, the artist enrolled at the Accademia Albertina in Turin. There he was taught by the sculptor Odoardo Tabacchi (1831-1905). As soon as he finished his studies, his master encouraged him to exhibit: his bust Alda, for example, was presented in Milan in 1881. In 1885, Villanis moved to Montmartre, a district of Paris that he never left. The artist's fame is built on his production of female figures. Aida, Judith, Delilah, Lucretia, Cinderella: her work brings together the great heroines of opera, literature, mythology and the Bible. Villanis also discusses certain types, the Bohemian, the Châtelaine, or even the Parisian and several allegories, including Painting and Sculpture. Made mainly in bronze, sometimes chryselephantine, his sculptures subtly bear the mark of Art Nouveau, including the lettering of the title, which regularly adorns the base. His play on patinas further adds to the finesse of the line, making Villanis one of the major sculptors of Art Nouveau. Regarding the casting of bronzes, he works mainly with the Société des Bronzes de Paris and with Eugène Blot. Exhibited eleven times at the Salon of French Artists between 1886 and 1910, Villanis also participated in the Universal Exhibition of 1889 in Paris, and that of Chicago in 1903.