Sèvres, Biscuit Porcelain, "vivianne", Model By Théodore Rivière

Remarkable biscuit porcelain statuette from Sèvres dated 1908 and signed Théodore Rivière (1857-1912). This sculpture represents a standing female figure, her face turned to the left, her hands placed on her hips. She is dressed in a long dress whose flowing drape is very finely chiseled and blends into the base. Like a DIVA with a haughty attitude, this figure titled Le Dédain or Vivianne impresses with the incredible confidence that emanates from the character. A similar copy is kept at the Musée du Petit Palais in Paris. Théodore Rivière (1857-1912) is an emblematic French sculptor of the Belle Époque, famous for his feminine works inspired by mythology. To meet the demand of the Union of Decorative Arts, he created small-format sculptures in collaboration with the Sèvres porcelain factory at the beginning of the 20th century. Trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Rivière is known for his ability to capture dynamic movements and give poignant expressions to his sculptures. Sculptures by Rivière are exhibited in museums and private collections around the world. A copy similar to our statuette is kept at the Musée du Petit Palais in Paris. A bronze copy from 1903 is also in the Maryhill Museum of Art in Washington. This biscuit bears the sculptor's signature, the stamp of the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres S.1908 as well as the monogram of the Mouleur-répareur George-Marie-Joseph Boterel (1888-1934). Founded in 1740 under the impetus of Madame de Pompadour, the Manufacture de Sèvres is an emblem of the art of porcelain in France. Renowned for its exceptional pieces and unique know-how, Sèvres has made history with its delicate porcelain and refined sculptures, appreciated in royal and museum collections around the world. Did you know? Biscuit is a porcelain paste that is fired twice (Bis-Cuit) and not glazed. Sèvres made it a specialty to stand out from Meissen, its German competitor, the first European porcelain manufacturer (1710) and creator of polychrome enameled porcelain figurines highly prized by the aristocracy in the 18th century. A very pure white, Sèvres Biscuit was an immediate success that has never waned and was highly appreciated by modern sculptors of the early 20th century. With its breathtaking beauty, like a DIVA, this sculpture will leave you speechless!