Pierre TRAVERSE (1892–1979) – The Offering

Very fine bronze proof with silvered patina
Signed “Pierre Traverse” on the terrace at right
Sand cast during the artist’s lifetime by Alexis Rudier
Bears the founder’s mark: “A. Rudier Fondeur Paris” on the plinth at the back
Circa 1930

Dimensions:
Height: 31 cm
Width: 16 cm – Depth: 10 cm

The Offering

Exceptional bronze sculpture with silvered patina depicting a nude young woman, standing, emerging gracefully from two monumental hands that seem to present her to the world or offer her in a symbolic sacrifice. The female figure, with the pure lines characteristic of Art Deco aesthetics, adopts a hieratic pose: one hand raised to her hair while the other suggests a gesture of elevation.

The contrast in scale between the delicacy of the female nude and the power of the supporting hands gives the work a powerful allegorical and poetic dimension. The extremely high quality of the casting, carried out by the Alexis Rudier Foundry, highlights the vigorous modeling and anatomical precision dear to Pierre Traverse, a pupil of Injalbert and an admirer of Rodin.

Biography:

Pierre Traverse was born on April 1, 1892, in Saint-André-de-Cubzac (Gironde). His early career was slow, interrupted by the tragic events of 1914. His father had sent him to Limoges, entrusting his initiation to an old sculptor, Philippon, the only master, in the young artist’s own words, who ever taught him anything. In 1910, Traverse came to Paris and spent a year in the studio of Injalbert at the École des Beaux-Arts.

His first work, exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français, was a group entitled Les Présents de la Terre, which immediately brought him to public attention. He was already in full command of his art. There was no period of groping in his development. The Family, like The Man, like The Bathers, is of perfect harmony. At no moment did Traverse yield to the attraction of theories. No visible, aggressive distortions, no concessions to the avant-gardes, nor to a backward academicism. His art is healthy, frank, honest, outside of any schools, whatever they may be…

Traverse was one of the rare artists who practiced direct carving.

A pupil of Injalbert, a disciple of Bourdelle and Joseph Bernard, he claimed the great classical tradition. He exhibited in many Salons, notably the Salon des Artistes Français, the Salon d’Automne, and the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs. A worthy representative of stone sculpture executed by direct carving, he won the first gold medal at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1926, and the Blumenthal Prize in 1932.

His most famous work of this period is his Man, created in 1937 for the gardens of the Palais de Chaillot.