Antoine Rabany Thumbs His Nose at Art History with “Barbus Müller”

Published on 17 September 2022, by Sophie Reyssat

Auction on 14 October 2022 - 14:00 (CEST) - Salle 4 - Hôtel Drouot - 75009

Antoine Rabany’s sculpted primitive heads have been in the news for about a hundred years. This version is the last one listed by specialist Bruno Montpied.

Antoine Rabany, the Zouave (1844-1919), "Barbu-Müller", a sculpture of the head of... Antoine Rabany Thumbs His Nose at Art History with “Barbus Müller”

Antoine Rabany, the Zouave (1844-1919), "Barbu-Müller", a sculpture of the head of a mustachioed man with bulging eyes, volcanic rock, Auvergne, Puy-de-Dôme, Chambon-sur-Lac, late 19^th-early 20^th century, 33 x 21.5 x 17 cm/12.99 x 8.46 x 6.69 in.
Estimate: €30,000/40,000

Some people see a strange stylistic kinship between this hypnotic face and Celtic archaeological objects from the Vendée or the statues on Easter Island. This sculpture belongs to a body of work that has posed an enigma for nearly 110 years. The first recorded mention of their appearance with an art dealer dates back to 1908. Each time they appeared questions were…

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CURIOUS, STRANGE AND EXOTIC, THE OBJECTS OF MISTER CANAVY

Friday 14 October 2022 - 14:00 (CEST) - Live

Salle 4 - Hôtel Drouot - 75009 Paris

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A Collector’s "Barbu-Müllers"

François Canavy was inevitably drawn to the strangeness of Antoine Rabany's "Barbu-Müllers". Art lovers were also charmed, as with other pieces assembled by this major collector.