 1900-1904, signed on base, l. rear: "Henri Matisse 1/10" Bronze, 91.5 x 30.5 x 34.3 cm (36 x 12 x 13 1/2 in.) Edward E. Ayer Endowment in memory of Charles L. Hutchinson, (Art Institute of Chicago) 1949.202 © 2009 Succession H. Matisse / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York |
| From info card: "Henri Matisse often turned to sculpture early in his career in an attempt 'to put order into my feelings and find a style to suit me.' More than half of his total output of sculpture dates to between 1900 and 1909, and these works reveal a deep interest in the human figure, as well as ancient and Old Master works of art The Serf, one of Matisse's earliest sculptures, consumed him: he was reported to have spent up to 500 sessions with his model, Bevilaqua, who also posed for Auguste Rodin. The Art Institute's work is an early case (1908) of a total edition of 10 and was once owned by Matisse's most enthusiastic early supporters, Michael and Sarah Stein." |
