Max LE VERRIER (1891-1973) - Lot 94

Max LE VERRIER (1891-1973) IMPORTANT Art Deco "Clarté" LUMINAIRE Patinated regulator and frosted glass globe Signed on the terrace Shaded green bronze patina (wear, scratches, rubbing, patina needs cleaning) 83 x 47 cm Black veined marble contresocle (small chips) History l In 1928, MAX LE VERRIER created his famous CLARTE, a woman with a ball, the torchère of the 1930s, based on the idea of the ancient goddess of light and symbolizing the era both through its garçonne hairstyle and the sobriety of its line. He created it in his studio from a live model, using three different models: his cousin posed for the head, with her straight nose and garçonne hairstyle; he immortalized the legs of an Afro-American dancer from the JOSEPHINE BAKER ballets; and the model for the bust remained a secret. This work appeared in the "LUMIERES" exhibition at the Centre GEORGES POMPIDOU from May to August 1985, and in 1987 in the "MADE IN FRANCE" exhibition at HARROD'S in London, as well as in the "DE MAIN DE MAITRE" exhibition at the Grand Palais. Two sculptures could be admired in the grand salon of the LUTETIA hotel in Paris for over 20 years, and CLARTE decorated the MARTINEZ hotel in Cannes for the new millennium. This work is still on display today in the room dedicated to Max LE VERRIER in the famous LES GRANDS BUFFETS restaurant in Narbonne, as well as at the QUEEN, a magnificent restaurant club in Miami Beach, where two copies are on display...