This is the first German publication devoted to tracing the evolution of French sculpture from the Enlightenment to Early Modernism. The title, elegant // expressiv, refers to the fundamental conflict in 19th-century French sculpture between a striving for elegance and for expressiveness. These antipodes can be found in artistic attitudes throughout the century: classical severity versus romantic emotionalism, compliant grace versus bitter satire, and convention versus freedom are the guiding themes of the era. The comprehensive illustrated catalog section of the book surveys over 160 works by more than 30 sculptors, including Jean-Antoine Houdon, François Rude, Pierre-Jean David d’Angers, James Pradier, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, Jules Dalou, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Aristide Maillol, Henri Matisse, Camille Claudel and Auguste Rodin.

Editor: Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe
Authors: Amélie Simier, Antoinette Le Normand-Romain, Bernhard Maaz, Edda Hevers, Julia Weber, Nerina Santorius, Nina Trauth, Siegmar Holsten, Stefanie Manthey

Hardcover
24 x 30 cm
384 pages
104 color and 229 b/w ills.

German
available
ISBN 978-3-939583-27-1
48 Euro
2007