Joe Descomps (1869-1950)-the Malicious

Joe Descomps, real name Joseph Emmanuel Jules Descomps (1869-1950), was a French sculptor, chaser and master goldsmith. Known for his Art Nouveau and Art Deco works, Joe Descomps specialized in female representations, which he sublimates through graceful forms. His career flourished around 1900, when he exhibited regularly at the Salon des Artistes Français, and gained recognition for the delicacy and harmony of his sculptures. Joe Descomps' work celebrates natural beauty. He favored materials such as terracotta, bronze and sometimes stone, creating works where feminine elegance and sensuality occupy a central place. From the 1920s, his style evolved towards Art Deco, mixing modernity and refinement. In this Art Nouveau-inspired work, the model's body harmonizes with the curves and arabesques, while the face reveals a subtle mischief. Her slight smile and oblique gaze seem to establish a subtle connivance with the artist, as if she were sharing a knowing thought. This expression mixes mischief and intimacy, revealing a natural and expressive femininity specific to the works of Joe Descomps. A similar version, also in terracotta, is present at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux.