Untitled Silver Metal Sculpture By Enrique Molins-balleste (1893-1958)

1. Description of the work: This silver-plated metal sculpture, mounted on a black and white marble base, represents a woman balanced on one leg, her arms outstretched holding a black sphere, possibly made of glass. The female figure, in a dynamic and graceful posture, wears a leotard richly decorated with geometric patterns. Her attitude and head carriage evoke strength, elegance, and a surge toward the ideal. The smooth treatment of the metal contrasts with the raised ornaments of her outfit, giving the work both modernity and refinement. 2. Artistic affiliation: The work is fully part of the Art Deco movement (1920-1939), identifiable by its stylized, geometric aesthetic and the use of luxurious or industrial materials. The clean lines of the body, the abstract ornamental patterns, as well as the combination of metal and marble, are typical characteristics of this period. The forward momentum, the idealized beauty of the female body, and the elegance of the composition reinforce the affiliation with this modern style. 3. Artist Biography – Molins: Léonard Molins (active in the 1920s-1930s) was a French sculptor associated with the Art Deco style. Little information survives about his life, but his works, often signed simply “Molins,” are emblematic of the period, combining dynamism, elegance, and modernity. He is known for his idealized female representations, often athletic or dancing, celebrating the energy of the body and contemporary aesthetics.