AFFORTUNATO GORY (Italy, active between 1895 - 1925, probably in Paris). "Bust of a woman". Marble

AFFORTUNATO GORY (Italy, active between 1895 - 1925, probably in Paris).
"Bust of a woman".
Marble and polychrome bronze.
Signed.
Exhibitions: "European sculpture of the 20th century", European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM), Barcelona, 2014.
Measurements: 51 cm (total height).
Art Deco bust representing a stylised lady who raises her face and her curious gaze upwards, in a graceful and elegant movement. The aesthetics of her clothes are entirely in keeping with the Art Deco movement, an artistic style that emerged in 1920 and whose influence continued until the middle of the 20th century in some countries. It sought to renew all disciplines, championing the value of the technological progress of the time and the new sciences of the day. In this case, the material is traditional, which was not unusual for this style, although it was more common to use materials provided by the new technologies of the time. Another of his sources of inspiration were the early avant-garde movements. Modernity can be seen, once again, in the young woman's bold and daring posture.
Born in Florence, Affortunato Gory trained with the master Augusto Rovalta, and after completing his studies he settled in France, where he spent most of his career. He took part in the Salon des Artistes Français on several occasions between 1902 and 1923. His sculptures are in the Art Nouveau style, often in bronze but also chryselephantine, with ivory or white marble flesh tones. His production included a bronze and marble bust of "Iris" from 1904, a statue of Michelangelo in marble from 1912, a gilded bronze "Bacchante with Amorites" from 1914 and a sculpture from the same year, in marble, entitled "Bouquetière". He was particularly brilliant in the execution of female figures, represented as ladies, dancers, oriental or medieval princesses or classical figures, although he also excelled in his busts of young people and children. Today Gory is represented in museums dedicated to Art Nouveau such as the Casa Lis, as well as in private collections all over the world.