ÉDOUARD DROUOT (France, 1859 - 1945). "Forzudo". Bronze. Signed... Lot 45

ÉDOUARD DROUOT (France, 1859 - 1945). "Forzudo". Bronze. Signed on the right side of the base. Measurements: 50 x 33 x 20 cm. Born in Sommevoire, France, Édouard Drouot was mainly a bronze sculptor but he also worked in genre painting, achieving with one of his paintings an honourable mention at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1900. He studied in the French capital as a pupil of Émile Thomas (1817-1882), a prominent sculptor of the time who carried out important official commissions and produced portraits, monuments and sculptures in bronze and marble on allegorical and mythological themes. Drouot later furthered his training with Mathurin Moreau (1822-1891), one of the most prominent members of the renowned family of bronze and marble sculptors. Drouot himself achieved great success, and had a wide clientele. He produced busts and sculptures with mainly allegorical and mythological themes, but also works of historical inspiration. His works are characterised by a sense of movement, particularly evident in pieces such as "Printemps", exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1897, "L'Echo", with its sinuous drapery, or his allegory of "Nightfall". Drouot exhibited his works at the Salon from 1889 onwards and continued to do so throughout the 20th century. In the early years of the new century, his works "L'Eveil du Printemps" (1906) and "Andromache" (1912) stand out. Drouot worked mainly in bronze, and over time he expanded his subject matter to include animals, North African themes, Indians on horseback, hunting scenes, etc. However, he was particularly known for his beautifully formed, classical allegorical figures, which brought him international recognition. This flute player is an example of his most characteristic production. It is a young woman, dressed in a classical tunic and cloak and crowned with ivy, with delicate, idealised features despite the fact that she is depicted blowing an aulos, a double flute from Ancient Greece.