Antoniucci VOLTIGERO, known as VOLTI (1915-1989) - Lot 198

Antoniucci VOLTIGERO, known as VOLTI (1915-1989) Crucifixion Statue in carved stone. Signed and dated (illegible). H. 53.5 cm Provenance : Gift from the artist to Jean Joseph GALLE, grandfather of the current owner. This direct carving is similar to "Pietà", described and reproduced in "Volti sculptures et dessins", preface Jean Robert Delahaut, éditions Pierre Cailler, Lausanne, 1968, p. 144 & 145. Jean Joseph GALLE was director of the Beaux-Arts in Nice and had Volti as a pupil. Of Breton origin, he created numerous public monuments and works in the churches of Villefranche-sur-mer and Nice. We would like to thank Nicolas Antoniucci, who kindly confirmed the authenticity of this work and told us: "It seems to me, in fact, that Volti must have made this direct carving at the same time as the one shown in the book, i.e. around 1945/1955. At that time, he made a number of sculptures on Christian themes. As for the origin of its acquisition, it's likely that Volti kept in touch with Mr. Galle after his return from captivity and offered it to him, at a time when he was also very active in the arts in Nice".