Bronze Entitled "The Slave" and Signed Émile Pinedo (1840 - 1916)

This bronze presented at the 1889 World’s Fair, the one that saw the inauguration of the Eiffel Tower, still bears the stamp attesting to his participation in this 19th century world event. At that time, Émile Pinedo had already embarked on a career as a sculptor, in parallel with his work as a bronze and medalist for the family business of art bronzes and furniture, “Émile Pinedo fils”, located in the Marais in Paris.

His artistic production met with a certain success at a time when orientalism was a fashionable subject. Émile Pinedo skillfully captured attitudes, rendered the texture of clothing or the patterns of a distant everyday life. This sculpture of the slave is a perfect example. This woman carrying a fruit platter does not have the attitude that one would imagine to be that of her condition. She stands straight and, with one hand on her hip, looks down on those she is dealing with. The fabrics and jewelry are perfectly rendered and work to model a proud and assertive feminine figure. This bronze is in very good condition.