ANTONIUCCI VOLTI (1915-1989) Lot n° 26

MEDITERRANEAN Sculpture in bronze with an antique green shaded patina Fonte Landowski Signed, numbered 7/8 and dated 2011 H: 220 cm, W. 66 cm, D. 41 cm Weather marks Provenance: Private collection, Paris Bibliography Volti, Éditions Pierre Caillet, 1965, the plaster and sculpture reproduced Volti, preface by Geneviève Testanière, Editions du chêne vert, Paris, 1985 In 1960, the city of Nice commissioned Antoniucci Volti, Méditerranée, a monumental stone sculpture (Fig. 1) to be installed in the arcades of the Palais de la Méditerranée. This palace dedicated to the Arts and Games was built in 1927 at the instigation of Franck and Florence Gould. After its closure in 1978 and its partial destruction, the sculpture was sold at auction in 1981. In the same year, a bronze sculpture numbered out of 6, 1m51 high, was donated by the artist for the creation of his museum in Villefranche-sur-Mer. (Fig. 2) The bronze example we are presenting is the same size as the original sculpture of 2m20. This work is in the tradition of Aristide Maillol about whom he said: "Maillol is a carnal man. I am an architect of sensuality". This sculpture glorifies the woman who appears hieratic and in all her splendour. "What enchants me in a woman's body are the rhythms and volumes". A museum-foundation is dedicated to him in the citadel of Villefranche-sur-Mer where he has always lived. Volti's sculptures are also found in the squares of many cities (Paris, Angers, Orleans, Colombes...) and in private collections.