Georges ARTEMOFF (1892-1965). Enchanting fish... Lot 584

Georges ARTEMOFF (1892-1965). Enchanting fish - circa 1930. Wood sculpture. One-of-a-kind direct-cut piece. Signed on the front of the base. H : 44 ; W : 24 ; D : 3,1 cm. This sculpture has been authenticated by the artist's daughter Marie Artemoff-Testa and entered in the permanent catalog raisonné under no. SC 104. Note: Sculptures in the round are relatively rare in the work of Georges Artemoff, who prefers to express himself in bas-relief through panels or friezes. His body of sculpted work does, however, include a few fish. This is a subject close to his heart, symbolizing the freedom to which he has always been attached. In this case, our example, standing on its tail with its mouth open, is an Enchanted Fish, a theme inspired by a Russian tale in which a fish emerges from a lake carrying a ring, which it offers to a princess. Artemoff produced several versions, of which only three had been identified, until the discovery of our sculpture, now registered under no. SC 104 in the permanent catalog of works. All four versions are different, making each one unique. In each case, the wood is meticulously worked, with a patina of polished, shiny parts and others engraved with tiny diamond shapes suggesting scales. The beauty and craftsmanship of the wood perfectly convey the dynamic movement and vital force of the animal. Our sculpture can be compared with a wooden work on the same subject belonging to the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris, now on deposit at the Musée Goya in Castres, purchased by the French State in 1932 (inventory no. JP83S). Bibliography: - "Georges Artemoff le dernier centaure" by N. Zimmerman and Jean-Louis Augé, Lavaur, 2009 (p. 63 and 64) - "Georges Artemoff" by Paul Ruffié, Lavaur, 2018 (similar models reproduced under nos. 41, 42 and 43 p. 66 and 165) - "Les sculptures sur bois d'Artemoff" by René Chavance, Revue Mobilier Décoration, 1951 (similar models reproduced p. 38 and 39) - "Les sculpteurs animaliers à la Galerie Edgar Brandt" by B. Delisle,. Revue Mobilier Décoration, 1930 (similar model reproduced on p. 261)