Jan and Joël Martel L’Accordéoniste Art Deco Sculpture

This sculpture was produced in several materials, including bronze, wood, and cast stone, which speaks to the importance and popularity of the design. The painted wood base shows a few areas of wear, but the sculpture remains in overall good condition and presents beautifully.

Jan and Joël Martel were twin brothers, born in Nantes, France in 1896. They worked together throughout their careers and jointly signed their work “Martel.” Their sculptures, monuments, fountains, and architectural decorations became closely associated with Art Deco and Cubist design. They were active in the Paris art scene beginning in the 1920s and remained important figures in French modern sculpture for several decades.

Among their best known works are the Monument to Claude Debussy, the sculptures created for the 1925 Exposition des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, and their later plaster and aluminum works made for the 1948 London Olympic Games Art Competitions. The Martel brothers were also among the founding members of the Union des Artistes Modernes. Both brothers died in 1966. Jan died in an accident, while Joël died as the result of an illness.

For a more detailed site bio on the artists go here