Léon Pilet

LÉON PILET (Paris, 1836 - 1916).
"Bagneuse.
Biscuit.
Signed on the base.
Size: 65 x 34 x 32 cm.
Round sculpture representing a bather made in biscuit which offers a matt and very white finish to the pieces, which began to be used in the middle of the 18th century. A Parisian sculptor active between the second half of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th century, Léon Pilet is widely known today for his small and medium-sized sculptures, mainly in bronze. Pilet was a prolific artist and worked on a wide range of subjects, from genre scenes to history, mythology, allegory, orientalism and religious scenes. Of particular note in the latter genre are his highly naturalistic and expressive busts of Christ and the Virgin. He also tackled the portrait genre, depicting in bronze figures such as Handel, Mozart and Jules Verne. Léon Pilet is currently represented in the Louvre Museum, as well as in numerous private collections in Europe and America.