What are Marcel Bouraine’s Most Famous Art Deco Sculptures
In the grand tapestry of 20th-century art, few sculptors have captured the elegance, sensuality, and modernity of the Art Deco movement as exquisitely as Marcel Bouraine. A French artist whose work defined an era, Bouraine’s bronze and ivory figures, infused with movement and grace, stand today as enduring icons of an aesthetic that bridged tradition and innovation. With meticulous craftsmanship and visionary flair, Bouraine’s sculptures continue to captivate collectors, curators, and connoisseurs alike.
Who Was Marcel Bouraine?
Marcel-André Bouraine (1886–1948) was born in Pontoise, France, and came of age in an artistic and industrially booming Europe. His early exposure to sculpture came at a young age, and he studied under the renowned artist Jean-Alexandre Falguière. Despite a promising beginning, his career trajectory was deeply influenced by the chaos of World War I. Captured and held as a prisoner of war in Germany, Bouraine endured hardship that would later shape his resilient and expressive style.
Upon returning to France after the war, Bouraine immersed himself in the burgeoning Art Deco movement, which rose to prominence during the 1920s and 1930s. Art Deco was more than an artistic style, it was a cultural phenomenon. Characterized by clean lines, bold geometric forms, and an embrace of modern materials, it was both forward-looking and opulently decorative.
Bouraine’s art embodied the soul of Art Deco: sleek, sophisticated, and infused with a sense of movement and life.
What Is Marcel Bouraine Known For?
Bouraine is best known for his bronze and chryselephantine sculptures, which often feature athletic, idealized female figures, nudes, dancers, and mythological characters. His work exudes elegance and sensuality, often combining bronze with ivory (a popular practice of the period) to create contrast in texture and color. These works, called chryselephantine sculptures, had ivory faces and hands paired with bronze bodies, creating a visually compelling juxtaposition of materials.
He was a master at capturing the dynamism of the human form, whether in the poised balance of a dancer mid-spin or the quiet grace of a reclining nude. The way his figures seem to hover between motion and stillness reveals a deep understanding of both anatomy and theatricality.
Additionally, Bouraine collaborated with several foundries and fellow artists, including Fayral and Derenne, both of which are known pseudonyms he used to produce pieces in partnership with Max Le Verrier’s foundry. This allowed his work to reach wider markets while experimenting with different patinas and casting styles.
Marcel Bouraine’s Most Famous Art Deco Sculptures
Several of Bouraine’s works are especially celebrated for their style, rarity, and technical mastery. Among his most iconic sculptures are:
1. “Diana the Huntress” (Diane Chasseresse)
Arguably his most iconic piece, this sculpture depicts the Roman goddess Diana in a dynamic pose, bow drawn and eyes focused. The figure exudes power and sensuality, embodying the Art Deco fascination with myth and athletic beauty. Typically made of patinated bronze and ivory, it reflects Bouraine’s skill in fusing naturalistic detail with modern abstraction.
2. “Snake Charmer” (La Charmeuse de Serpents)
This alluring sculpture of a nude woman mesmerizing a snake with her flute is rich with Eastern exoticism, a common motif in Art Deco. It is both sensual and mysterious, and the curvilinear forms of the snake and the figure echo each other in a way that feels fluid and hypnotic.
3. “The Archer”
A classic example of Art Deco dynamism, the archer is frozen in the moment just before releasing the arrow. With taut muscles and focused gaze, it captures the intensity and elegance of physical prowess. This piece exemplifies Bouraine’s ability to depict strength and motion with anatomical precision.
4. “La Danseuse à la Sphère” (Dancer with Sphere)
This sculpture portrays a dancer delicately balancing a sphere, her body poised and elegant. The use of geometric props (like the sphere) was a nod to the Deco love for shapes and patterns. It’s also a demonstration of balance and lightness, both literal and figurative.
5. “Amazon”
This lesser-known but stunning sculpture presents a fierce female warrior, evoking both historical legend and modern femininity. It embodies the Art Deco celebration of strength in the female form, challenging traditional gender roles through artistic expression.
How Did Marcel Bouraine Create His Sculptures?
Bouraine worked predominantly in bronze and ivory, combining the two using the chryselephantine technique that originated in ancient Greece. This technique was revived during the Art Deco period and became particularly popular among Parisian sculptors.
The Creative Process:
Sketching and Modeling: Bouraine often began with sketches or maquettes (small clay models) to experiment with form and pose.
Wax Modeling and Lost-Wax Casting: He used the cire-perdue (lost-wax) method to cast bronze, which allowed for high detail and precision. In this process, the sculpture was first made in wax, encased in a mold, and then the wax was melted away and replaced with molten bronze.
Assembly and Finishing: After casting, pieces were assembled and chased (fine details carved into the bronze). He would then patinate the bronze to give it color and depth, typically green, brown, or gold hues.
Ivory Detailing: For chryselephantine works, ivory was hand-carved and inserted for faces, arms, or other elements, adding contrast and lifelike qualities.
Bases and Mounts: Many sculptures were mounted on exotic marble or onyx bases, adding to their decorative allure.
His technical skill was matched by his aesthetic sensibility. Each sculpture was not only technically brilliant but also evocative, full of emotion and personality.
What Are Marcel Bouraine’s Art Deco Sculptures Worth?
The market for Marcel Bouraine sculptures is robust and consistently strong. His works are considered highly collectible, especially those in excellent condition with original patinas and ivory elements intact.
Price Range:
Small bronze sculptures (8–15 inches): $5,000 to $15,000.
Mid-sized chryselephantine figures: $15,000 to $40,000.
Large, rare, or unique works: Can exceed $100,000 at auction.
For instance:
A “Diana the Huntress” sculpture sold at Christie’s for over $60,000 in recent years.
A rare variant of “Snake Charmer” fetched $75,000 at Sotheby’s due to its exceptional condition and provenance.
Factors affecting value include:
Condition (especially the preservation of ivory, which can crack or yellow)
Originality (authentic foundry marks like Le Verrier)
Rarity (limited editions or unique casts)
Provenance (auction house history or previous ownership)
Due to restrictions on ivory trade, some chryselephantine works are harder to sell across borders, but within the collector’s market, demand remains high.
Where Can You Find Marcel Bouraine Sculptures Today?
Bouraine’s works are housed in both private collections and major museums around the world. While he wasn’t as extensively institutionalized as some contemporaries, his sculptures are featured in several important collections:
Museums:
Musée des Années 30 (Boulogne-Billancourt, France): A museum dedicated to the 1930s, featuring numerous Art Deco works, including sculptures by Bouraine.
Musée d’Orsay (Paris): While primarily known for Impressionism, it also features a robust collection of decorative arts from the early 20th century, including works by Bouraine and his contemporaries.
The Wolfsonian–FIU (Miami, USA): This museum has a strong focus on decorative and propaganda arts from the 20th century and occasionally displays Art Deco sculpture.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York): Some pieces attributed to Art Deco sculptors including Bouraine appear in rotating decorative arts exhibits.
Auctions and Galleries:
Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Bonhams regularly auction his pieces.
Renowned Art Deco galleries in Paris, New York, and London such as Galerie Hautecoeur or Maison Gerard often hold his works.
Online art marketplaces like 1stDibs, Artnet, and LiveAuctioneers also list Bouraine sculptures, making them accessible to collectors globally.
The Legacy of Marcel Bouraine
Marcel Bouraine’s contribution to Art Deco cannot be overstated. He was a sculptor of finesse, imagination, and rare technical talent. His figures, graceful, sensual, athletic, embody the era’s celebration of human form and movement, while his methods represent a bridge between classical sculpture and modernist aesthetics.
In a world increasingly defined by fast-changing trends and technological art, Bouraine’s work stands as a timeless reminder of craftsmanship and artistic idealism. The tactile richness of his sculptures, the way light plays over the curves of bronze and the creamy texture of ivory, evokes a sensual, almost sacred aura.
His art doesn’t merely represent the Art Deco era, it defines it.
Whether you’re an art historian, a collector, or simply an admirer of beautiful things, Marcel Bouraine’s sculptures invite you into a world of elegance, poise, and eternal grace. image/artdecocollection.com
