Femme courge - François-Rupert Carabin (1862-1932)

Woman pumpkin, glazed ceramic pot by François-Rupert Carabin.

François-Rupert Carabin (1862-1932) is one of the most iconic artists of the Belle Époque and French Art Nouveau. Born in Saverne but trained in Paris, Carabin embarked on a multifaceted artistic career from the outset, working in sculpture, carved furniture, medal making, photography, and ceramics.
His work reflects a protean genius, combining a pronounced taste for the female figure with inspiration drawn from nature. Carabin constantly sought to transcend the boundaries between decorative arts, furniture, sculpture, and applied arts, with the idea of creating a total work of art. This commitment and vision of art led him to become a professor at the Ecole Supérieur des Arts Décoratifs in Strasbourg and, in particular, to engage in dialogue with Le Corbusier.

The Femme Courge covered pot is an emblematic work of Carabin's art. The ceramic, enlivened by a subtle glaze, brings the forms to life and emphasizes the sensuality of the modeling. Here, the boundary between art and decorative art is poetically blurred, as is the one between the human figure and the plant world. Carabin fully expresses his vision in this work, which combines sensuality, preciousness, nature, and function in a balance of great finesse.