Tête d'homme (Study for a head)
Sculpture, portrait bust • Manner of Alberto Giacometti or Germaine Richier
Style & Movement
Modernism, Existentialist Art / Post-War European Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Cast bronze with dark green and black patina; lost-wax casting (cire perdue) from a tactile, hand-modeled clay original.
Creation Period
Early to mid-20th century (c. 1940-1960)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12-15 inches in height (including base); vertical portrait format mounted on a square red marble plinth.
Subject Description
A deeply expressive, gaunt male head characterized by hollowing eye sockets, an elongated structure, and an anxious, melancholic expression. The surface is highly textured and irregular, suggesting the fragility and psychological isolation of the human condition typical of 'L'Art Informel' and post-war sculpture.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the patina appears stable with intentional variances in tone. The marble base shows minor shelf wear at the corners.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $12,000 (as an unattributed high-quality period bronze)
Auction Estimate
$4,000 - $8,000
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a private European collection or specialized mid-century gallery; no visible foundry marks or signatures are discernable from the primary angle provided.
Art Historical Significance
The work reflects the profound shift in 20th-century sculpture toward representing the 'inner self' rather than realistic likeness. It shares the stylistic DNA of the Paris School (École de Paris) and the influence of Rodin's late tactile surfaces merged with post-war existentialist philosophy.
Notable Features
Distinctive red veined marble base which provides a sharp contrast to the dark, expressive bronze; highly worked 'fingered' texture on the forehead and cheeks showing the artist's physical interaction with the original medium.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust in recessed areas; slight oxidation consistent with age; minor nicks on the marble base edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a climate-controlled environment with low humidity; dry-dusting with a soft brush; avoid chemical cleaners which can damage the delicate chemical patina.