The Dream of God

Information sur l’artiste
BOLESŁAW BIEGAS [KOZICZYN, POLAND, 1877 – PARIS, 1954]

Date de l’œuvre libre
1905
Boleslaw Biegas, Le Rêve de Dieu, 1905.
Boleslaw Biegas,
Le Rêve de Dieu, 1905.
© Société Historique et Littéraire Polonaise / Bibliothèque Polonaise de Paris. Image © Lyon MBA - Photo Alain Basset
Contenu

Polish sculptor Bolesław Biegas created highly original works heavily influenced by Symbolism. This bronze, whose sinuous curves are reminiscent of designs typical of the Art Nouveau movement, is one example thereof. The artist's work reflects such esoteric and spiritual notions that they remain difficult to interpret. A solemn face and contorted hand emerge from the lower section of the sculpture. A cloud rises like a breath of wind or a flame, revealing three figures. The composition appears unstable.

 


Biegas, who moved to Paris after studying at the Krakow school of fine arts, enjoyed only limited popularity in his lifetime. Nevertheless, he did receive a great deal of support from several influential patrons and critics in Symbolist circles, centred around the magazine 'La Plume'. He was later rediscovered by the Surrealists. Thanks to bequests from the artist, the Polish library in Paris now holds his studio collection, and in 2008 loaned four plaster works to the museum of Fine Arts, offering a better knowledge of Biegas’ atypical work.
 

Artwork label
Description de l’œuvre

1905, cast circa 1907-1908
Bronze
H. 107; L. 56.5; D. 25 cm
Purchased in 1991 with support from the French government and the Rhône-Alpes Region as part of the FRAM programme.
Inv. 1991-22