Bronze Sculpture of Amazon Woman Warrior on Horseback by Bousquet

Art Nouveau Bronze by Robert Bousquet, this dynamic rendition of an Amazon woman warrior on a horse in full gallop, is both powerful and magnificent was produced in 1910.

The sense of movement is conveyed in every detail: the posture of the horse, the flaring of his nostrils, the feeling of wind rushing past his mane and tail, the deep leaning of the woman as she prepares to throw her spear. The details are beautifully rendered too. Look at the contrast between her sweetly beautiful face and the angry lion’s face  that is cast into her broad belt. This represents the “magic girdle of Hippolyte” – the metal belt with special powers given to the Amazon Queen.  There are undulating curves to the fabric, and even the base to this piece is unique.

A clear signature of sculptor  Bousquet is part of the bronze casting.  Robert Bousquet was born in 1888 , fought in the first World War and died in the trenches in France 1917 at the age of 29. There are pieces by Bouquet that were cast and sold in 1925-1935 which is why he is considered a an “Art Deco Sculptor” yet these were done from his moulds after his death.  One of his lamp bases was used throughout the deco years paired with glass shades by Degue.

You can see the wonderful transition from Nouveau into “Deco” in his work which was in many ways ahead of his time…making his

early death even more tragic and a sculpture like this even more rare.