George MINNE

Exhibited by Thomas Deprez Fine Arts

Material Boxwood (composite)

Dimensions 40 cm

Place of Creation Belgium

Price Price available upon inquiry

Status Vetted

About the Work

Although the artist's catalogue raisonné (Van Puyvelde, 1930) mentions versions of the well-known sculpture were made in bronze, marble and wood, we have been unable to find records of any other versions in wood. This suggests the present sculpture is likely a unique piece in the material, and that the work can therefore be identified as entry nr. 139 of the Brussels' Salon of 1902; where both a bronze and wooden version of Minne's 'Baigneuse' would have been shown under the title 'Figure de femme'.

By the turn of the century the artist is experimenting with opening up his volumes and introducing decisive movement as emotional expression. It has been said George Minne directly influenced Gustav Klimt with the present sculpture for the painting 'Wasserschlangen' (1904/07). It's appeal, however, has never faded, as can be seen in several variations on the pose which have been an integral part of the famous Belgian contemporary choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaekers' so-called 'Attitudes'.

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