La Nymphe
Maker and role
Artist: Aristide Maillol, French, 1861-1944
Year
1930
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Object detail
Media/Materials
Bronze
Measurements
53 1/4 x 16 3/4 x 13 3/4in (135.3 x 42.5 x 34.9cm)
Credit line
Gift of Emily Wells Brown in memory of H. Lutcher Brown and F. Lutcher Brown
Accession number
1975.17
Object type
Department
Location
Further information
Why does this sculpture have no arms or head? One reason is that Aristide Maillol admired ancient Greek sculptures, which due to the fragility of marble, sometimes have missing limbs or heads and yet retain their beauty, like the Venus de Milo. Another reason is purely artistic. A visitor to Maillol’s studio once noted:
“When an arm does not correspond to [Maillol’s] conception, when a leg isn’t turned the way he wants, he amputates it without hesitation.”
“When an arm does not correspond to [Maillol’s] conception, when a leg isn’t turned the way he wants, he amputates it without hesitation.”
Copyright
© Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris
Documentation
Collecting: A Texas Phenomenon; 1986; p. 71; no. 1 (Sculpture)
Modern Art at the McNay: A Brief History and Pictorial Survey of the Collection; William J. Chiego; 2001; p. 112
Modern Art at the McNay: A Brief History and Pictorial Survey of the Collection; William J. Chiego; 2001; p. 112
Signature & date
Signed with monogram on base
Inscribed on base: 2/6
Inscribed on base: Alexis Rudier / Fondeur. Paris.
Inscribed on base: 2/6
Inscribed on base: Alexis Rudier / Fondeur. Paris.
Subject period
Docent information sheet
http://collection.mcnayart.org/docs/maillol.pdf
V:\Object Documentation\Sculpture\1975.17 Maillol\Collecting Texas Phenomenon 1986.pdf
V:\Object Documentation\Sculpture\1975.17 Maillol\Collecting Texas Phenomenon 1986.pdf
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