Igor Mitoraj (1944-2014) - Helios

Igor Mitoraj - "Helios"

Year: 1988;

Technique: Bronze sculpture with blue patina (extremely rare);
Quadrangular plinth in travertine marble;

Total dimensions: (approximately) 40x37x10 cm;

Dimensions of the bronze work alone: (approximately) 30x37x7 cm;

Dimensions of the travertine marble base only: (approximately) 17x10x10 cm;

Specimen: B682/1000 HC;

Print run: It was produced in a limited and numbered edition of 1000 units + some HC units. (Hors Commerce);

Signature engraved at the bottom right, on the front;

Print run at the bottom of the back;

Publisher: Venturi Arte, Bologna;

Foundry: Venturi Arte, Bologna;

Work accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the art gallery of origin;

Bibliography: Claudio Malberti, "Igor Mitoraj Sculpture 1976-1986";

Present in publications:
• "Contini General Catalogues": The work appears historically recorded in the monographic catalogues distributed by the Contini Art Gallery, the main point of reference for the artist's works;
• Costantini, Costanzo "The enigma of the stone. Conversations with Igor Mitoraj" - Rome: Il Cigno GG Edizioni, 2004. (It is the fundamental official biographical volume, also cited by the artist's scientific committee);
• Di Capua, Marco (edited by) "Igor Mitoraj: angels, myths and heroes" - Rome: Il Cigno GG Edizioni, 2007;
• Chiappini, Rudy (ed.) "Igor Mitoraj" - Milan: Skira, 2002; (Large illustrated monograph retracing the crucial stages of bronze casting from the 1980s onwards).
• Romanelli, Giandomenico and Putnam, James "Igor Mitoraj. Sculptures 1983-2005. Selected Works Venice" - Milan: De Luca Editori d'Arte, 2005. (The catalogue of the historic Venetian exhibition at Ca' Pesaro and on the Grand Channel, which analyses the development of classical bronze torsos and busts);
• "Mitoraj, Igor. Gods and heroes." Exhibition catalogue (Florence, 20 June-30 September 1999) - Florence: Il Cigno GG Edizioni, 1999;

Exhibitions:

- The Mitoraj Museum in Pietrasanta (Permanent Exhibition). The inaugural exhibition "Mitoraj. Present": At the Mitoraj Museum Foundation in Pietrasanta, officially inaugurated in July 2026;
- Diffused Exhibition of Syracuse and Neapolis (Until October 2025);
- Exhibitions and Retrospectives at International Art Galleries, historically partners of the artist, which curate monographic exhibitions and maintain archives of authenticity, such as the Contini Art Gallery (Venice and Cortina d'Ampezzo);

Original work with certified provenance;

Excellent condition!

It depicts a fragmented bust inspired by Helios, the sun god of Greek mythology, in the artist's characteristic style that combines classical perfection with the idea of human ruin and fragility.

The bronze is treated with a rich dark blue patina with blue-green reflections (chemically induced oxidation). The coloration is uneven: the concave parts and the fissures retain darker, bluish hues, while the exposed, smooth surfaces of the face reveal warm metallic glows and greenish hues, emphasizing the play of light and shadow.
The blue of the patina (usually obtained through the use of hot-applied copper nitrate on the bronze) symbolizes the element of the sky, creating a conceptual contrast with the work's name, Helios (the Sun), and recalling the reflections of ancient bronzes that had been submerged at sea for centuries.

This wonderful and rare limited edition patinated bronze sculpture by Master Igor Mitoraj will be shipped with insurance worldwide.

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Igor Mitoraj - "Helios"

Year: 1988;

Technique: Bronze sculpture with blue patina (extremely rare);
Quadrangular plinth in travertine marble;

Total dimensions: (approximately) 40x37x10 cm;

Dimensions of the bronze work alone: (approximately) 30x37x7 cm;

Dimensions of the travertine marble base only: (approximately) 17x10x10 cm;

Specimen: B682/1000 HC;

Print run: It was produced in a limited and numbered edition of 1000 units + some HC units. (Hors Commerce);

Signature engraved at the bottom right, on the front;

Print run at the bottom of the back;

Publisher: Venturi Arte, Bologna;

Foundry: Venturi Arte, Bologna;

Work accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the art gallery of origin;

Bibliography: Claudio Malberti, "Igor Mitoraj Sculpture 1976-1986";

Present in publications:
• "Contini General Catalogues": The work appears historically recorded in the monographic catalogues distributed by the Contini Art Gallery, the main point of reference for the artist's works;
• Costantini, Costanzo "The enigma of the stone. Conversations with Igor Mitoraj" - Rome: Il Cigno GG Edizioni, 2004. (It is the fundamental official biographical volume, also cited by the artist's scientific committee);
• Di Capua, Marco (edited by) "Igor Mitoraj: angels, myths and heroes" - Rome: Il Cigno GG Edizioni, 2007;
• Chiappini, Rudy (ed.) "Igor Mitoraj" - Milan: Skira, 2002; (Large illustrated monograph retracing the crucial stages of bronze casting from the 1980s onwards).
• Romanelli, Giandomenico and Putnam, James "Igor Mitoraj. Sculptures 1983-2005. Selected Works Venice" - Milan: De Luca Editori d'Arte, 2005. (The catalogue of the historic Venetian exhibition at Ca' Pesaro and on the Grand Canal, which analyses the development of classical bronze torsos and busts);
• "Mitoraj, Igor. Gods and heroes." Exhibition catalogue (Florence, 20 June-30 September 1999) - Florence: Il Cigno GG Edizioni, 1999;

Exhibitions:

- The Mitoraj Museum in Pietrasanta (Permanent Exhibition). The inaugural exhibition "Mitoraj. Present": At the Mitoraj Museum Foundation in Pietrasanta, officially inaugurated in July 2026;
- Diffused Exhibition of Syracuse and Neapolis (Until October 2025);
- Exhibitions and Retrospectives at International Art Galleries, historically partners of the artist, which curate monographic exhibitions and maintain archives of authenticity, such as the Contini Art Gallery (Venice and Cortina d'Ampezzo);

Original work with certified provenance;

Excellent condition!

It depicts a fragmented bust inspired by Helios, the sun god of Greek mythology, in the artist's characteristic style that combines classical perfection with the idea of human ruin and fragility.

The bronze is treated with a rich dark blue patina with blue-green reflections (chemically induced oxidation). The coloration is uneven: the concave parts and the fissures retain darker, bluish hues, while the exposed, smooth surfaces of the face reveal warm metallic glows and greenish hues, emphasizing the play of light and shadow.
The blue of the patina (usually obtained through the use of hot-applied copper nitrate on the bronze) symbolizes the element of the sky, creating a conceptual contrast with the work's name, Helios (the Sun), and recalling the reflections of ancient bronzes that had been submerged at sea for centuries.

This wonderful and rare limited edition patinated bronze sculpture by Master Igor Mitoraj will be shipped with insurance worldwide.