1890 French Collector's Bronze Sculpture "NERINA"

Master of Bronze Sculpture: Emmanuel Villanis (1858-1914) was an Italian-born French Art Nouveau sculptor. He was born in Lille, France, on December 12, 1858, and died in Paris, France, on August 28, 1914. In 1861, Villanis returned with his parents to the Piedmont region of Italy. In 1871, he entered the Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti in Turin, studying under sculptor Odoardo Tabacchi (1831-1905). In 1881, Villanis exhibited his works for the first time in Milan. In 1885, Villanis returned to Paris, France, and settled in Montmartre. Thereafter, the artist created a series of paintings and sculptures featuring female subjects, drawing inspiration from opera, literature, mythology, the Bible, and oriental themes. His unique style, striking and highly decorative titles, delicate lines, and rich use of various colorations made him a distinctive representative of Art Nouveau during this period. Between 1886 and 1910, his works were exhibited multiple times at French art festivals, and also at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle and the 1903 Chicago World's Fair. Due to the exquisite craftsmanship and superior quality of the bronze material, his bronze works were cast by the Société des Bronzes de Paris and marked with a stamp symbolizing noble bronze sculptures.