Terracotta vase signed Madrassi - Le secret du putto, circa 1920

From art nouveau to art deco, the transition.

Here's a rare, touching and highly elegant piece: a patinated terracotta vase by Madrassi, adorned with a charming putto leaning against the neck of the piece, its fingers resting on its lips in a gesture both tender and enigmatic.
The slender body of the vase evokes the beginnings of the purified canons of nascent Art Deco, while the supple, organic lines, like the subtly ribbed body of the vase or the bronze patina of the figure, still recall the last effluvia of late Art Nouveau. This work thus lies at the heart of a stylistic transition, at a time when forms were becoming simpler without sacrificing expressiveness.
The contrast between the figurative softness of the putto and the geometric modernity of the vase creates a striking dialogue of great decorative richness. Here, terracotta is sublimated by a play of textures: the vibrant verticality of the grooves, the mattness of the bronze-green background and the soft light of the figure.

The work is signed Madrassi on the back and bears the inscription "Terre cuite Bruxelles" on the underside, followed by a figure possibly indicating a limited edition. Luca Madrassi (1848-1919), an Italian artist trained in Paris, was active between France and Belgium at the end of the 19th century. A pupil of François Jouffroy at the École des Beaux-Arts, he distinguished himself with his sensitive, elegant sculpture, imbued with symbolism, which was successfully disseminated in the decorative arts by leading Brussels publishers.

This vase is equally at home in a classic interior or in a contemporary setting, where its poetic presence alone would make a shelf, console or coffee table stand out. It is also a collector's item for any lover of decorative sculpture from the first half of the 20th century.

On the edge of the vase, a small creature watches silently.
With his finger over his mouth, he seems to be holding back a secret - or perhaps a memory.
Those who have loved him one evening know what he's whispering.


Dimensions :
Overall height (with putto): 31.5 cm
Width at collar: 20 cm
Width at base: 10 cm

Ref: KJWZHAR25O