Fernand LÉGER (1881-1955) (after) - Lot 28

Fernand LÉGER (1881-1955) (after) La Branche Rockefeller, from the original model designed circa [1951], Hors Commerce proof from the original edition Sculpture. Bronze; black-brown patina. Lost-wax casting. Limited post mortem edition of the Musée national Fernand Léger. Mounted later on a wooden base. Signed F. LÉGER lower front, justified H. C. Musée Fernand LÉGER and stamped C. VALSUANI Cire perdue at the base on the right-hand side. 54 x 50 cm Provenance : - Simone Bauquier Collection; Callian (château). - Mme X., inherited from the previous owner. History and related pictorial work: In September 1938, Fernand Léger undertook his third visit to the United States, during which he painted murals for Nelson Rockefeller's apartment. The model for this sculpture was inspired by one of the motifs in his composition for the fireplace overmantel. Composition murale pour la cheminée de Nelson Rockefeller (1939), listed as no. 1667 in Fernand Léger's Catalogue raisonné de l'œuvre peint (X), is now in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, USA. Public collections and related works : - Musée national Fernand Léger, Biot - A bronze proof of the Rockefeller branch is held in the collections of this institution under inventory number MNFL 02078. - Harvard Art Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA - A bronze print of the Rockefeller branch is held in the collections of this institution under inventory number 1962.183. - Les Abattoirs, Musée - Frac Occitanie, Toulouse - A polychrome ceramic print of the Rockefeller branch is held in the collections of this institution under inventory number D.2017.3.3. Exhibition and related work : Fernand Léger - Musée Galliera, Paris, February to March 1969. A bronze proof of the Rockefeller branch exhibited at this event (N° 125). Bibliography: Fernand Léger - Catalogue de l'exposition organisée au Musée Galliera, Paris (février-mars 1969), Éditions du Musée Galliera, Paris, 1969. A bronze proof of the Rockefeller branch referenced and reproduced under catalog no. 125, unpaginated. Bibliography and related works: - Fernand Léger, la céramique - Catalogue published on the occasion of the exhibition organized at the Musée national Fernand Léger, Biot (March 24 - July 2, 2000), Éditions de la Réunion des musées nationaux, Paris, 2000. A polychrome ceramic print of the Rockefeller Branch is referenced under number 64 in the catalog, reproduced on p. 37 and described on p. 60. - Yvonne Brunhammer - Fernand Léger, l'œuvre monumental - Editions 5 Continents, Milan, 2005. Polychrome ceramic proofs of the Rockefeller Branch reproduced on pages 137 and 164 (N° 143 and 173).