Robert Laurent Bronze Sculpture "Golden Girl (a Female Torso)"
Item Details
Robert Laurent (French/American, 1890 – 1970)
Golden Girl (a Female Torso), early to mid 20th century
Bronze sculpture with dark green patina on black marble base
Signed “Laurent” in mold to the verso of right leg
An early to mid 20th century bronze sculpture by well-listed artist Robert Laurent (French/American, 1890 – 1970). The work, titled Golden Girl (a Female Torso), depicts the head and torso of a female figure with head turned towards the left. The lines and shapes of the figure become increasingly stylized and geometric from the upper torso through the head. The piece is signed to the verso of the right leg. It is coated with a dark green patina and presented on a black marble base.
Robert Laurent was known for his modernist female sculptures and framemaking. While born in Brittany, he and his family emigrated to the United States at the behest and support of artist and patron Hamilton Easter Field, a proponent for American modernism. Field became Laurent’s mentor, fellow teacher, and friend, leaving Laurent his entire estate upon his death. After completing his studies abroad, Laurent began his career primarily as a framemaker, carving frames for noted artists Childe Hassam, Robert Henri, and John LaFarge. His sculptural work continued to gain success and develop focusing on a modernized intrepretation of the female form while still drawing from tradtional Classical and Celtic influences. In 1932, he completed his most iconic works, three commissioned sculptures titled Goose Girl for the first mezzanine of Radio City Music Hall. Throughout his career Laurent was a teacher notably at the Art Students League in New York and at Indiana University. His work can be found in numerous private and public collections including the Smithosonian American Art Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, among others.
Condition
- areas of patina loss and abrasions throughout particularly to chest, lower stomach, and legs; white accretions throughout crevices; white marks to lower verso; accretions and marks throughout surface of base; chips to the right side of base.
Dimensions
- measures sculpture including base; without base sculpture measures 29.5" H.
Item #
ITMG180346
