Naar Léon Leyritz (1888–1976) - Relief, Kubistisch Art Deco bas-reliëf uit 'Librairie des Arts Décoratifs, Parijs, 1928' Sculptuur HOMME - 33 cm - porcelain gypsum

This auction features a remarkable cubist Art Deco bas-relief, based on an original design by the French artist Léon Leyritz (1888–1976). Leyritz was among the leading French artists of the Art Deco period. He worked with a variety of materials, including bronze and ceramics, and was active as a sculptor, painter, and theatrical designer. In addition, he designed frescoes, bas-reliefs and ceramic works, with theatrical and highly stylized figures often forming a recurring theme.

The original relief is known thanks to a historical photographic plate, published in the rare portfolio 'Librairie des Arts Décoratifs (Paris, 1928)', a major publication documenting European decorative arts from 1920–1936. The original relief is considered lost and may have been destroyed during World War II.

The composition of the relief reflects the characteristic language of the late 1920s: faceted volumes, strong geometric lines, and a subtle play of light and shadow, which together create a dynamic and modernist image. The cubist influences align with developments in French sculpture of that period and show kinship with the stylized, architectural designs of contemporaries such as Jan and Joël Martel. All of this makes the bas-relief a beautiful example of the transition from cubist influences to the refined geometric aesthetics of French Art Deco and constitutes an interesting object for collectors of modern sculpture and decorative arts from the interwar period.

The object offered in this auction has been designed and manufactured with the utmost care by Atelier Laurier Design. Based on the historical photograph, an extremely accurate reconstruction has been realized, with every detail carefully modeled to reproduce as faithfully as possible the artistic quality and elegance of the original design. This reconstruction brings a lost-looking artwork back to life and makes it accessible to a new generation of art lovers and collectors.

The bas-relief is signed and numbered on the back. The accompanying certificate of provenance is also included. The relief is in excellent condition and is carefully packed and professionally shipped. The shipment is fully insured against loss or transport damage.

Dimensions: 60.5 x 33 x 3 cm
Material: porcelain gypsum
Weight: approx. 5 kg

* In a separate Catawiki auction, we also offer the matching relief. Both reliefs were originally designed as a set and form a harmonious whole. Bid in both auctions to complete this extraordinary Art Deco composition. The last eight photos give an impression of both reliefs as a complete set.