MAX BLONDAT (Crain, Burgundy, 1872 - Paris, 1925).
"Le jour de fête.
Marble.
Size: 67 x 26 x 32 cm.
This is a sculpture resolved in a vivid realistic language, representing a girl on her feast day. The young girl holds a large bouquet of roses in her hands, while she reads an open leaf, previously folded in four parts according to the traces of the folds. Blondat presents a figure whose anatomy is perfectly rendered, showing in its naturalism and precision the artist's skill and technical mastery.
Max Blondat was an Art Nouveau and Art Deco sculptor trained at the École Germain-Pilon in Paris. In 1890 he exhibited a plaster medallion at the Salon des Artistes Français. He subsequently perfected his technique in Mathurin Moreau's studio. In 1892, he entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, signing his first works with his mother's name Henry. He also produced ceramics with Edmond Lachenal at the Sèvres factory and wrought iron works with Edgar Brandt. He worked with the Siot-Decauville foundries and the Valsuani foundry. He also created jewellery for Chambon and Hermès. In 1906, he was a founding member of the Society of French Decorative Art. Some of his work is on display at the Musée des Années Thirties in Boulogne-Billancourt. One of his most famous creations is the Fountain of Youth, which depicts three children watching three frogs.