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Ernest Wante "Loie Fuller" Gilt Bronze Sculpture

$7,500
This lighted sculpture of Loïe Fuller by Ernest Wante features a gilt bronze version of the famous dancer amid one of her signature routines. The lighted feature is under the dancer’s prop of fabric floating above her head. The shade-like element that covers the light creates the effect of light shining on the dancer while she is in motion. The billowing of the fabric repeats in the dancer’s flowing sleeves and twirling skirt, which rests on a rosso verona marble base.

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  • Product Details
  • Curator's Notes

Item #: YS-20980
Artist: Ernest Wante
Country: France
Circa: 1897
Dimensions: 13" high, 6.5" wide, 4.75" deep
Materials: Gilt Bronze
Signed: Signed "E. Wante"
Exhibition History: "Loie Fuller: Magician of Light," VMFA, Mar 12 - April 22, 1979
Literature: Harris, Margaret Haile. Loie Fuller, Magician of Light: A Loan Exhibition at the Virginia Museum, March 12-April 22, 1979. United States: The Museum, 1979, p. 92

American dancer Loïe Fuller came from humble vaudeville beginning and skyrocketed to international fame upon her arrival in France. In Paris, she auditioned for the Folies-Bergèr with a premiere dance known as the Serpentine. The routine was a hit, resulting in Fuller creating more dances inspired by nature, such as the lily. While it is unclear which dance is shown here, this statue captures the dancer’s expressive signature movements.
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