81 - PAUL GONDARD (1884–1953)

PAUL GONDARD (1884–1953) Bust of Pierre Puget, circa 1920 Important plaster sculpture with a brown patina, signed and dated “Projet Pierre Puget 1920” Dimensions: 58 x 46 x 23 cm Provenance: Private collection, Monaco A leading sculptor from Marseille, Paul Gondard created this bust to mark the 300th anniversary of Pierre Puget’s birth, thereby paying tribute to the most illustrious of his fellow citizens. The work exemplifies a unique artistic approach within his body of work: whereas his usual portraits are distinguished by a smooth and carefully polished finish, this bust reveals a deliberately sketchy style, in which the artist’s hand remains visible—traces of added clay and freely modeled surfaces—conferring on the piece an unusual vitality and spontaneity. Far from being a rough sketch, Gondard considered this bust a finished work: he took care to sign it, have it photographed—the photograph is preserved at the Municipal Archives of Marseille (call number 95 II 5)—and authorize its casting in bronze. This example is a bronze-patinated plaster model, dated, and held in a private collection in Monaco. Bibliography / Archives: Municipal Archives of Marseille, 95 II 5. Boulogne Museum, Claire Poirion, and the archives of Marseille.