3452 - NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE

NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE (Neuilly-sur-Seine 1930–2002 San Diego) Serpent Goddess. 1982. Acrylic on polyester. E.A. II/III, artist’s proof outside the edition of 7. Stamped on the underside with the artist’s and manufacturer’s marks: Niki R. Haligon Plastiques d’art. 17 × 23.5 × 10.5 cm. Certificate: Niki Charitable Art Foundation, San Diego, April 25, 2026 (no. 06-1982A-118). Provenance: - Private collection, Switzerland. - Private collection, Switzerland, by descent. Niki de Saint Phalle’s small sculpture “Serpent Goddess” depicts a fantastical creature that is a cross between a human, a serpent, and a mythical deity. Bold colors cover its body, while gold accents emphasize the sweeping, curved forms. Blue linear patterns adorn the pale surfaces of its lateral extensions, suggesting veins, scales, or an organic network. Heart and flower motifs complete the richly detailed painting. The ornamental outlines and almost fairy-tale aesthetic lend the work a playful character. Its unusual silhouette reveals a different aspect from every angle. The title “Serpent Goddess” offers a gateway into the artist’s mythical world, in which the serpent can be understood as a symbol of transformation, vitality, and renewal. Saint Phalle is best known for her colorful Nanas—voluptuous female figures that challenge conventional ideals of beauty and embody female self-determination. “Serpent Goddess” builds on these characteristic figures, combining them with fantastical and mythological subjects. The fusion of human and animal elements reflects the artist’s interest in archaic symbols and imaginary worlds. Polyester and acrylic paint allow for intense color and a distinctive, drawn quality on the surface. The sculpture brings together central aspects of Saint Phalle’s art: her delight in bold colors, freedom of form, and exploration of femininity and mythology. Beneath its playful appearance lies a multifaceted figure embodying vitality, transformation, and imagination.