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81 - PAUL GONDARD (1884–1953)
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Estimate €500 - €1,000

Description

PAUL GONDARD (1884–1953) Bust of Pierre Puget, c. 1920 A significant plaster sculpture with a brown patina, signed and dated ‘Projet Pierre Puget 1920’ Dimensions: 58 x 46 x 23 cm Provenance: Private collection, Monaco A leading sculptor from Marseille, Paul Gondard created this bust to mark the tercentenary of Pierre Puget’s birth, thereby paying tribute to the most illustrious of his fellow citizens. The work demonstrates a distinctive artistic approach within his oeuvre: whereas his usual portraits are characterised by a smooth and carefully polished finish, this bust reveals a deliberately sketchy style, in which the artist’s hand remains visible – traces of added clay and freely modelled surfaces – lending the piece an unusual vitality and spontaneity. Far from being a rough draft, Gondard regarded this bust as a finished work: he took care to sign it, have it photographed – the photograph is held at the Marseille Municipal Archives (reference 95 II 5) – and authorise its casting in bronze. The present example is a bronze-patinated plaster model, dated, held in a private collection in Monaco. Bibliography / Archives: Municipal Archives of Marseille, 95 II 5. Boulogne Museum, Claire Poirion and the archives of Marseille.

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About the sale Day 1: Major Classical Art Auction – Old Master Paintings, Sculptures, Furniture, Archaeological Artefacts, Asian Art, Curiosities, Glassware, Silverware

Auction location

Auction time 11/11/2026 at 2:30 PM

Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House

81 - PAUL GONDARD (1884–1953) See original version (French)

81 - PAUL GONDARD (1884–1953)
See original version (French)