Joseph Bernard (1866-1931) - "the Charmer" Also Known As "woman With A Snake"

Bronze proof with black patina on a green background Exceptional lost-wax casting by Adrien-Aurélien Hébrard Based on the original plaster created in 1906-1907 Bears the stamp of the Founder “CIRE PERDUE AA HEBRARD” Signed in the wax: “J. Bernard” on the terrace and numbered 5 Dimensions: Height: 30 cm Width: 11 cm – Depth: 12 cm Bibliography: Model listed in the work “Joseph Bernard, Saint Rémy les Chevreuses” by René Julian – Edt Fondation Coubertin (1989) under no. 101 page 287; Biography: Antoine-Joseph BERNARD (1866-1931) Born in Vienne (Isère), Joseph Bernard was the son of a modest stonemason and at the age of 12, he left school and took his first steps in sculpture on his father's construction sites with his brother Louis and thus acquired a good knowledge of marble and stone. In 1881, he was 15 years old and obtained a scholarship from the city to go and study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Lyon where he graduated with a very good level and entered, in 1887, the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris where he studied in the studio of Jules Cavelier. He also enrolled in the painting classes of Jules Lefèbvre and Gustave Boulanger. During this period, he acquired a classical training from the live model and plasters, nourished by the drawing that he practiced, to the detriment of clay modeling. But this classical and somewhat rigid teaching did not correspond to the expectations of this young sculptor and he took sculpture classes with Henri-Charles Maniglier. Despite everything, he was influenced by Auguste Rodin and presented "L'espoir Vaincu" at the Salon in 1891, which is reminiscent of Rodin's thinker. He made his debut at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1892; Sculpture did not allow him to earn a decent living and he had difficulty making a living. Very independent, he refused positions as a practitioner and worked at night in a printing house until 1911. In 1900, he moved to the Cité Falguière in Paris (a city of artists), and it was during these years, between 1905 and 1913, that Joseph Bernard created most of his sculpted work. In 1905, he returned to direct carving by sculpting "L'effort vers la nature". Around 1907-1910, he collaborated with the Adrien Hébrard foundry, which produced his bronze sculptures and exhibited them, thus contributing to the dissemination of his work. He exhibited regularly at the Salon d'Automne between 1910 and 1930. In 1921, he permanently set up his studio in Boulogne Billancourt. The 1920s marked the beginning of his success. He was considered the equal of some of his contemporaries such as Antoine Bourdelle and Aristide Maillol. He regularly participated in the "La Douce France" exhibitions organized by Emmanuel de Thubert to promote direct carving. In 1930, he gave classes at the Grande Chaumière. He died on January 7, 1931.