This exquisite nude female bronze sculpture is the work of Belgian artist Edouard Vereycken. Her seductive pose and shapely form add an element of eroticism to her mysterious and statuesque appearance. She is believed to be Galatea (Galatée / Galathea) from Greek mythology. In Ovid’s Metamorphosis there is the well know story of Pygmalion and Galatea. The enchanting myth is about Pygmalion, a Cypriot sculptor who falls in love with his own sculpture. He prays to Aphrodite the Greek goddess of love, to bring his beloved sculpture to life. In the art world, this story was portrayed in a famous painting by French artist Jean-Léon Gérôme. Painted in 1890, it captures the moment Pygmalion and his sculpture Galatea kiss. The painting is part of the permanent collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. (see here)
The Art Deco era figure is cast in the lost-wax process and finished in a rich green and brown patina. It is signed E. Vereycken along with the foundry mark Batardy Cire Perdue Bruxelles for the Batardy Foundry in Brussels (see photo). The statues slender form measures just under 29″ in height, adding to its towering presentation.
Edouard Vereycken (Edward Vereycken) was a Belgium artist and sculptor. He was born in Antwerp in 1893 and studied at the prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. His work was influenced by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin and Belgian sculptor Jeff Lambeaux. One of his more important works is the Infantry Memorial of Brussels in front of the Palais de justice de Bruxelles. The monumental sculpture is in memory of Belgian infantrymen who fought in World War I.
ARTIST: Edouard Vereycken (1893-1967)
MAKER: Batardy Cire Perdue Bruxelles
PERIOD: 1925
EDITION: Unique
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Belgium
MATERIALS: Cast Bronze
HEIGHT: 29 in. (74 cm)
WIDTH: 6 in. (15 cm)
DEPTH: 4.75 in. (12 cm)
CONDITION: Extremely nice condition with minor wear consistent with age.
