| Aristide Maillol was a French sculptor whose works are devoted almost exclusively to the female nude. Born in a small town in the Pyrenees in 1861, he went to Paris in 1882 to study painting. His early work from the 1890's was decorative in style and symbolist in subject.
In 1900, Maillol turned to sculpture, making terracotta, stone and bronzes of nude female figures in simple poses. The form of a full and vigorous nude represented in simple, solid, basic volumes with smooth masses, sustained his muse throughout his entire career. The works are classical in spirit in that they show no emotion or individuality. In fact, Maillol has been considered the artist that represents the classical tradition within the context of modern art and the 20th century.
He returned to the ideals of Greek art of the 5th century B.C. in a reaction against Rodin's fluid forms, changing silhouettes, and dramatic content, although it was Rodin who helped to make his name. By contrast, Maillol stressed the static and monumental qualities of the human figure.
Maillol determined to join the ranks of the avant garde, first as a decorative artist studying under Alexandre Cabanel (whose voluptuous Birth of Venus hangs famously in the Met in New York), then as a sculptor in the circle of artists who were to contribute to a new chapter in Art History. He was a member of the Nabis (the Hebrew word for "prophet") artists, who were followers of Gauguin and whose names included Bonnard, Denis, and Vuillard. Maillol participated in the Nabis aesthetic, which strove for pure form and moved away from symbolism. Maillol's greatest contribution during this period was his single-handed revival of the lost art of tapestry.
Maillol's first public commission was the Monument to Cézanne (1912-25). This supreme, flying couch of a woman left its mark on 20th Century giants like Picasso (in his classical period which featured giant-limbed, small-headed goddesses no less) and Moore (whose signature style features a bench-like, classically reposed, abstract woman). Maillol is represented in the museums of modern art in London, Paris, and New York.
Aristide Maillol was a French sculptor whose works are devoted almost exclusively to the female nude. Born in a small town in the Pyrenees in 1861, he went to Paris in 1882 to study painting. His early work from the 1890's was decorative in style and symbolist in subject.
In 1900, Maillol turned to sculpture, making terracotta, stone and bronzes of nude female figures in simple poses. The form of a full and vigorous nude represented in simple, solid, basic volumes with smooth masses, sustained his muse throughout his entire career. The works are classical in spirit in that they show no emotion or individuality. In fact, Maillol has been considered the artist that represents the classical tradition within the context of modern art and the 20th century.
He returned to the ideals of Greek art of the 5th century B.C. in a reaction against Rodin's fluid forms, changing silhouettes, and dramatic content, although it was Rodin who helped to make his name. By contrast, Maillol stressed the static and monumental qualities of the human figure.
Maillol determined to join the ranks of the avant garde, first as a decorative artist studying under Alexandre Cabanel (whose voluptuous Birth of Venus hangs famously in the Met in New York), then as a sculptor in the circle of artists who were to contribute to a new chapter in Art History. He was a member of the Nabis (the Hebrew word for "prophet") artists, who were followers of Gauguin and whose names included Bonnard, Denis, and Vuillard. Maillol participated in the Nabis aesthetic, which strove for pure form and moved away from symbolism. Maillol's greatest contribution during this period was his single-handed revival of the lost art of tapestry.
Maillol's first public commission was the Monument to Cézanne (1912-25). This supreme, flying couch of a woman left its mark on 20th Century giants like Picasso (in his classical period which featured giant-limbed, small-headed goddesses no less) and Moore (whose signature style features a bench-like, classically reposed, abstract woman). Maillol is represented in the museums of modern art in London, Paris, and New York. |
