A beautiful patinated Art Nouveau bronze bust of a young beauty with excellent variegated rich golden patina and excellent hand chased surface detail, signed E.Villanis & titled
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Height: 14 cm
Width: 6 cm
Depth: 8 cm
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Circa: 1890
Materials: Bronze
Book Ref: Emmanuel Villanis by Josje Hortulanus-de Mik
Page No: 31
SKU: 8815
ABOUT
Emmanuel Villanis
Emmanuel Villanis was an industrious man. He is believed to have created some 200 to 250 pieces. His oeuvre pre-eminently consisted of busts and full body statues. Most of these were manufactured in bronze, but there are also models in white metal and terra cotta. Different patinas were used. The bronzes were mainly cast by the Societé de Bronzes de Paris and can be recognised by the round stamp (cachet) at the back of the statue. In addition, reliefs, vases, lamps, clocks and ink stands are recorded . Vases and lamps were mostly made of tin, and there are also marble statues. Pieces in which ivory is used are as rare as silver statues.
Villanis was inspired by women. He dedicated almost his complete works to them. One model in particular was portrayed many times by him. His portrayals of children may be less known, but are nevertheless wonderfully done. His statues are always in perfect proportion and are full of expression: dreamy-eyed, happy, sirene, indifferent, cheeky, serious, sad, detached, melancholy.
His style can always be recognised by his use of hollowed out eyeballs. The name of the statue can usually be found on the base in scrolled script and the signature of Emmanuel Villanis is always visible and legible.
This subject 'Farfalla' meaning 'Butterfly' is based on the beautiful Japanese character in the famous tragic opera - Madam Butterfly
Giacomo Puccini's Opera "Madama Butterfly"
Act I
Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton, a young US Navy lieutenant stationed in Japan, has arranged with Goro, a marriage broker, to acquire a 15-year-old Japanese bride, Cio-Cio-San(also known as Butterfly). Pinkerton has taken a 999-year lease on a home overlooking Nagasaki harbour; this lease, as well as his marriage, can conveniently be cancelled at a month’s notice. Sharpless, the American Consuland Pinkerton’s friend, arrives to witness the signing of the wedding contract. He warns Pinkerton not to treat the marriage lightly, as his bride-to-be is truly in love with him. Pinkerton claims to be smitten with Butterfly, but he then proposes a toast to the American woman he will one day wed. Butterfly arrives. She tells Sharpless that her family was once wealthy, but hard times forced her to become a geisha. After Butterfly admits that her father is dead, Goro tells Pinkerton that he committed ritual suicide at the Emperor’s command. Butterfly’s relatives arrive and the formalities proceed. The festivities are interrupted when the Bonze, Butterfly’s uncle, enters to denounce her for forsaking their ancestral religion. Pinkerton angrily orders the guests to leave. He comforts the distraught Butterfly, and the newlyweds proclaim their love.
Act II
Pinkerton has been gone from Nagasaki for three years. Suzuki, Butterfly’s companion, fears that he will not keep his promise to return, yet Butterfly is sure that he will. Sharpless arrives to read Butterfly a letter he has received from Pinkerton, who has since taken an American wife. Goro interrupts, ushering in Prince Yamadori, a potential suitor for Butterfly who she dismisses. When Sharpless finally reads Pinkerton’s letter to Butterfly, she gradually realises that she has been abandoned. She sends for her young son, Sorrow, certain that Pinkerton will return when he learns that he has a son. Butterfly insists that she would rather die than be a geisha again. Suddenly, a cannon booms in the harbour, signaling the arrival of Pinkerton’s ship. Butterfly and Suzuki decorate the house and await Pinkerton’s return inan all-night vigil.
Act III
Early in the morning, Pinkerton, his American wife Kate, and Sharpless arrive at Butterfly’s house. Butterfly is asleep, so they ask Suzuki to tell her that they wish to take Sorrow away to live with them in America. Pinkerton flees in remorse. Butterfly enters to discover Kate there and soon realises who she is. She reluctantly agrees to surrender her child if Pinkerton will come for him in half an hour. After bidding farewell to Sorrow, Butterfly takes the only option she feels is left to her. Pinkerton rushes into the house and faces the consequences of his actions.
To view more sculptures by Emmanuel Villanis please click here.
