André Lavrillier (1885-1958) Leda and the Swan

About this piece

Gilded bronze relief from 1921 by the French artist André Lavrillier (Fr. 1885-1958). Leda and the Swan (Leda et le Cygne) is seen as an important work in André Lavrillier's oeuvre.
He created this relief with the classical theme of 'Leda and the Swan' during his stay at Villa Medici in Rome, after he had won the Grand Prix de Rome. The Prix de Rome is a very important prize to receive as an artist. It is often the beginning of a successful career for an artist. He already won this prize in 1914, 5 months after the outbreak of WWI. He was mobilized and served in the French army from 1914-1918.

Lavrillier was originally a medallist and engraver, this relief also exists in miniature, as a medal. It is precisely this large size of 34.5 x 20.5 cm that makes this work impressive and unusual. The relief is mounted on a mahogany stand and measures 40.5 cm in total. high.

Leda and the Swan is signed at the lower left with: "Andre Lavrillier, Roma and MCMXXI" (1921 in Roman letters).


Biography:
André Lavrillier was born on May 7, 1885 in Paris. His father was a steel engraver.

Lavrillier went to the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris from 1905 to 1914, his mentors were Jules Chaplain, Frédéric de Vernon and Auguste Patey.

In 1911 he received the Premier second Prix de Rome followed in 1912 with the Prix Stillman.
In 1914 he won the Grand Prix de Rome. That includes staying at Villa Medicis in Rome for a few years. In the meantime, WWI had also broken out and he was mobilized. He served in the French army from 1914-1918, as a liaison officer with the 74th Infantry at Le Marne, close to Verdun under General Berthelot. Berthelot noticed his talent as a draftsman and he is transferred to the Air Force as a photographer. During his military service, he drew the portrait of Marshal Petain and Marshal Foch at their request. After the war, medals are made of these portraits in 1920.

After his years of service, he volunteered to the Romanian front in 1919. After the Peace of Romania he was noticed by Queen Marie of Romania who gave him a position as professor at the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Lassy. He makes several portraits of the royal couple, and of other high-ranking people in Romania.

In 1921 he finally leaves for Villa de Medici where he creates his famous Leda and the swan. During the same period, he falls in love with the sculptress Margareta Cossaceanu, who studies sculpture at the art academy in Rome on the recommendation of the Romanian queen. They married and returned to France.

During his lifetime André Lavrillier made many portraits, mostly of people of some notoriety, writers, physicians, and high-ranking dignitaries.

In 1931 he is invited by the Royal Mint in London to design a coin. In France he also made the 5 franc coin that was used between 1933 and 1966. In addition, at the invitation of the peace committee (Le Comité de la Paix) in 1950, he converted Picasso's dove of peace into a special coin for Stockholm.

Together with his wife, he realized the Asian and Romanian Pavilion in 1935, intended for the 1937 World Exhibition.

Besides his busy activities as a performing artist, he was also a member of the jury for the Concours de Rome, the 1937 World Exhibition and the l'École des Beaux-Arts.

He passed away in 1953. He and Margareta had 3 children together, all three of them followed in their parents footsteps as a photographer and painter.

His work can be found in various museums, including the Royal Mint in London, Musée d'Orsay, Museum Bucharest, Museum Medals Stockholm, Brussels and Bucharest, Cabinet des Médailles and the National Library of France.

Literature and sources:
- Biography André Lavrillier - site de famille Lavrillier.
- Various books and catalogues in which his work is also listed.

Condition

Very good, at the hip and stomic is some minor wear of patina because of age and use.