"Antoine Bourdelle (French, 1861–1929), , Beethoven, La Joue Appuyée sur une Main",30000,20000,"Antoine Bourdelle (French, 1861–1929)Beethoven, La Joue Appuyée sur une Main1887-1888.Signed and dated 'Emile Antoine/Bourdelle'1887' (faintly) on the bust, to the right; with '© By BOURDELLE' at the base, bottom left (left profile); also with 'CIRE/A. VALSUANI/PERDUE' foundry mark, and numbered 'I' at the base, bottom left (left profile), bronze with golden brown patinaHeight: 22 1/2 in. (57.2cm)PROVENANCE:Rhodia Dufet-Bourdelle, Paris.Acquired directly from the above.Collection of Robert A. Becker, New York, New York.NOTE:This elongated, unbalanced mask of Beethoven is evocative of Antoine Bourdelle's early style, which was very much inspired by Auguste Rodin (1840-1917). Here, the artist channels the dramatic and expressive qualities that his master taught him, producing one of his most emotionally charged works. Beethoven is shown pensive, almost defeated. His head tilts forward, weighted down by long, excruciating thoughts. Bourdelle presents us with a vision of anguish and fear; he introduces a melancholic Beethoven in the throes of doubt, pondering deep life questions. Numerous scholars and experts compared the musician’s so-called unattractiveness (tanned skin, inharmonious features, face scars, indomptable hair) to his psyche. Here Bourdelle confirms that the musician’s temperament is a reflection of his skin – dark. Through the many gouges, lumps and ridges that wander through Beethoven’s face, Bourdelle is representing the composer’s ups and downs. His closed eyes indicate an intense self-absorption; the absence of ears cut him off from the stress of the world, making him inaccessible, curled up on himself. By modeling the sculpture with such energy, passion, and almost violence, the sculptor projects his own struggles and aspirations onto his idol, “that good black lion” as he called him, and joins their paths forever. Bourdelle would revisit this meditative version of Beethoven several times later in his career.",10000