Demétre Chiparus Sculpture 'Athlete with Javelin' Tall Athletic Statue

Demétre Chiparus ‘Athlete with Javelin’ Art Deco sculpture. The original pristine condition of petit bronze (white metal) in verdigris patina has gold accent details as well. Chiparus is the most famous Art Deco sculptor for many things, especially the male athletic figure. Original black Belgian marble base with two signature both D. H.  Chiparus and Darcourt.  Darcourt is a pseudonym for DH Chiparus but it is rarely seen with both signatures. Many sculptors of the Deco period in France used more than one name in their production of pieces. This had to do with the relationships with foundries, retailers and what they referred to as “editors” of their work in which royalties and taxes were paid. By using two or three names, they were able to retain some independence in selling their sculptures.

The pieces are highly sought after, many published in books on Art Deco statues. Most importantly, the Chiparus Book by Alberto Shayo, has a full page dedicated to this sculpture (page 204).

Demetre H. Chiparus was born in Romania in 1886 and then traveled to Paris before World War I to become more involved with his artwork. He attended school in Italy and at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and he exhibited at the Salon in 1914. Chiparus was particularly adept in the technique of chryselephantine, the combination of bronze and ivory to produce dramatic, stylized sculpture. He produced most of his renowned works between 1914 and 1933. Paris was an exciting place in the years leading up to World War II when art deco style and swinging good times were in vogue just as in the United States. His later works in the 1920′s were influenced by his interest in Egypt, after the excavation of the Pharoah Tutankhamen’s tomb. Some of his most exciting works are dancers taken from the Russian Ballet, French theatre, and early motion pictures. Dancers were captured in movement, dressed in high Art Deco style and long and lean in appearance.