"Bohémienne" by Emmanuel Villanis
Captivating late 19th Century French bronze bust of a beautiful woman, enhanced by the variegated rich brown patination and excellent tactile surface detail, raised on an integral bronze base with raised title to the fore. Signed E Villanis and further raised on a breche griotte stepped and shaped marble plinth
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Height: 33 cm
Width: 16 cm
Depth: 11 cm
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Circa: 1890
Materials: Bronze
Book Ref: Emmanuel Villanis by J Hortulanus-de Mik
Page No: 17
SKU: 8616
ABOUT
Puccini's Opera - La Bohème
SYNOPSIS - A group of friends are living a bohemian life in Paris and trying to make their livings creating art. Rodolfo, the writer, falls in love with the seamstress, Mimi, while Marcello, the painter, and Musetta, the singer, are the on-and-off-again couple by their sides. When the four are happy, they spend their time celebrating life and love. However, Mimi is revealed to be very ill, and Rodolfo struggles to come to terms with the fact that she will inevitably die. Rodolfo and Mimi break up, and months later, Musetta discovers Mimi extremely sick and close to death. She brings Mimi to Rodolfo and Marcello's apartment. Rodolfo immediately takes her in and tries to nurse her back to health, but he is too late. Almost as soon as the two are reunited and have professed their love for one another, Mimi succumbs to her illness and dies.
Emmanuel Villanis
Emmanuel Villanis (1858–1914) was an Italian-born sculptor who became one of the most distinctive figures of late 19th-century French decorative sculpture. Born in Lille to Italian parents, he trained in Italy before moving to Paris, where he established his career during the Belle Époque.
Villanis specialised in elegant busts of idealised female figures, often depicting allegorical or poetic subjects such as La Bohémienne, Salomé, or Cléo de Mérode. His work is characterised by refined modelling, expressive faces, and flowing, often highly stylised hair and drapery, reflecting both Art Nouveau influences and a strong sense of theatricality.
He exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon from the 1880s onward, gaining recognition for his graceful compositions and accessible appeal. Many of his sculptures were cast in bronze by leading foundries and produced in editions, making them popular among collectors of the period.
Today, Villanis’ bronzes are appreciated for their charm, craftsmanship, and embodiment of late 19th-century artistic taste.
To view more sculptures by Emmanuel Villanis please click here.
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