Young Woman Standing, Arms on Head – Bronze by Henri Parayre (1879-1970), 1929

Young Woman Standing with Arms on Her Head by Henri Ernest Parayre is a remarkable work of early 20th-century French sculpture. Created in 1929, this 61.5 cm high hammered lead sculpture embodies the stylized elegance of Art Deco while remaining firmly rooted in the classical tradition. The young woman's posture, arms raised above her head, conveys both grace and introspection, capturing a moment of tension and subtle balance.

The textured treatment of the hammered lead gives the surface a dynamic play of light and shadow, accentuating the sculptural presence of the work. Unlike the smooth, polished bronzes typical of the period, this rough finish adds an organic and expressive quality to the figure. Her face, with its softly sketched features, exudes an expression of serenity and discreet melancholy, while the curvature of her body suggests a delicate balance between fragility and confidence.

Parayre belongs to a line of French sculptors who sought to merge classical ideals with modernist principles. His work shares similarities with that of Aristide Maillol, whose female figures exude a timeless harmony, as well as with Joseph Bernard and Charles Despiau, major artists of the Art Deco movement who favored refined forms and restrained expression.

The use of lead as a material is noteworthy. Less commonly used than bronze, lead offers a plasticity that allows for subtle modeling and a unique patina. Parayre exploits this specificity to create a sculpture that is both robust and refined, where materiality plays a central role in the perception of the work.

This sculpture is listed in Laurent Fau's book on Henri Parayre, published in 2012 by Chemins d'Encre. Identified under the title Femme à la chemise (Woman with a Shirt), it appears on page 162, confirming its authenticity and importance within the artist's output.

Jeune Femme Debout, les Bras sur la Tête (Young Woman Standing, Arms on Head) transcends the simple study of the female body to become a meditation on grace and sculptural modernity. The work captures a moment suspended between movement and stillness, demonstrating Parayre's ability to infuse the medium with a rare emotional intensity. Balancing strength and delicacy, realism and abstraction, this sculpture illustrates Parayre's significant contribution to 20th-century sculpture.

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