Adrien Etienne Gaudez(1845, Lyon – 1902, Neuilly-sur-Seine), Mozart
, around 1880. Brown-patinated bronze on a cast base, 49 cm (total height) x 24 cm (width) x 20 cm (depth), 10.8 kg, signed “A.[drien] Gaudez” on the base, plaque on the front reading “Mozart par A. Gaudez. Hors-Concours.”
- In excellent condition, only one string of the violin is loose
- The lightness of the sounds -
Mozart is tuning his violin and listening to the notes. He has just plucked a string with his thumb, while with his other hand—if necessary—he makes a final adjustment with the fine tuner. As his index finger has not yet touched the fine tuner, the moment of listening is particularly emphasized. Accordingly, Mozart tilts his ear toward the violin. With his eyelids lowered, he is completely absorbed by the sound. This sense of being filled by the sound is expressed in his entire posture: Mozart stands in an almost playfully animated contrapposto, and his body is tilted slightly to one side. Even the tails of his coat move in a slight sway, and the patina itself radiates a vibrating shimmer. Adrien Etienne Gaudez masterfully succeeds in bringing the musical sounds to life while illustrating the character of “natural lightness” in Mozart’s music that results from a complex artistry. An effect that is particularly striking in this rare large version of the statuette.
About the Artist
After studying at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under François Jouffroy, Adrien Etienne Gaudez began exhibiting at the Paris Salon in 1864 and was awarded first prize in 1881. He was taken prisoner during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. Subsequently, he created numerous stone monuments for public spaces. His primary artistic focus, however, was the creation of bronze salon figures. His most expressive works depict musical themes.
