French Art Nouveau Bronze Sculpture Wagner’s “Tannhauser” after Louis Chalon

LOUIS CHALON
French, 1866-1940

"Tannhäuser"

Patinated bronze
Cast after the model by Chalon during the first quarter of the 20th century
Signed to the naturalistic base L. Chalon

22 1/2" H x 10 3/4" D x 19 1/4" W

A bronze group representing a scene from Richard Wagner’s Tannhäuser (first performed 1845), depicting the knight and poet Tannhäuser at the moment of his attempted departure from the Venusberg. The standing knight raises his hand as if in resistance while a reclining Venus draws close in an effort to restrain him. The subject refers to the episode in which Tannhäuser, held within the realm of the goddess, struggles to break free from her influence.

The composition captures the tension between departure and enticement, corresponding to the narrative in which Tannhäuser ultimately escapes through invocation of the Virgin Mary. The figures are arranged on a naturalistic rocky base with contrasting surface treatments: the knight's cloak and drapery rendered with a textured finish, set against the smooth modeling of the female form as her hair wraps and encircles his body. The base is signed “L. Chalon.”

Condition: Rubbing and wear to patina, particularly on the figure of Venus who may have been repatinated at one point in the 20th century using a lacquered stain. Cleaned and sealed in wax.

ref. 512SGP21Q