an impressionistically modelled bronze of a seated male in thought, signed and dated in the bronze, foundry mark for Susse Foundeur to the reverse, unnumbered from the edition of 10
55.5cm high

Provenance:
Acquired from the artist by David Spier, and thence by descent within the family.

The eighth of nine children, Ukrainian-born French-Israeli sculptor, Chana Orloff, left an indelible mark on the landscape of modernist art during the early 20th century. Although best known for her bronze creations, Orloff demonstrated throughout her career her technical proficiency in media including wood, stone, marble and cement.

After working and living in Palestine from 1905, in 1910 Orloff's artistic journey took a transformative turn in Paris. Previously pursuing dress-making, in Paris she discovered a passion for sculpture amidst pioneering luminaries including Modigliani, Soutine, Zadkine and Chagall. Despite a brief return to Palestine, Orloff embraced Paris as her home and artistic sanctuary. By 1920, Orloff's works were beginning to garner international acclaim and by 1925 her significance as an artist was acknowledged by the French government, who made her a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. World exhibitions, including a dedicated room at the Petit Palais in 1937, shortly followed.

Following the conclusion of World War II, Orloff returned to France to find her studio sacked and her sculptures mutilated. The present lot, Le Retour, or The Return, marks a significant departure from Orloff’s previous works and demonstrates the profound psychological impacts of warfare, both personally and collectively. Abandoning her characteristic curves and smooth edges, the Le Retour exploits and tortures the medium to express the anxiety of the sitter, which is further echoed by his pensive pose. Having completed the work, Orloff waited for eighteen years before finally exhibiting the work at the Katia Granoff gallery in 1963.

Condition Report
In good overall condition with even dark patination, some light abbrasions around the footrim.  Un-numbered, but according to the vendor, purchased in Paris in 1971 as part of the edition of ten.