François-Raoul Larche

François-Raoul Larche (1860 Saint-André-de-Cubzac - 1912 Paris) was a French Art Nouveau sculptor whose work included several figures of Christ, but who may be better known for his numerous female figures, both nude and draped.

He was one of several artists inspired by the dancer Loie Fuller; one of his best-known statues depicts Fuller dancing with part of her drapery billowing above and behind her head like a flame.

Another well-known sculpture, "Les Violettes", depicts a group of nude children with an older girl who may be their mother or older sister. Their bodies are entwined with flower stems and leaves and they are all wearing petal bonnets, suggesting that they are meant to represent the spirits of flowers.

External links

* [http://www.rmnphoto.com/cf/htm/CSearchT.aspx?V=CSearchT&SID=22S39UA2BYV4&E=S_22S39UA2BYV4&NoR=500&New=T Photos of works by Larche, page 1 of 3 (RMN)]
* [http://www.nga.gov.au/Exhibition/Edwardians/Detail.cfm?IRN=98639 Gilded bronze electric lamp in the shape of the American dancer, Loie Fuller] (National Gallery of Australia)
* [http://www.ewolfs.com/past_auctions/may_art/299.html L'apotre (ewolfs.com)]
* [http://www.icollector.com/viewCatalogItem.aspx?auctionSessionid=3741&itemlotid=1385435&currentPage=10&pageSize=25 Tempete et ses Nuees (iCollector.com)]
* [http://www.treadwaygallery.com/ONLINECATALOGS/Obj.2001/Obj2001lotpages/0437.html Seated female nude (treadwaygallery.com)]
* [http://www.prices4antiques.com/itemsummary/78988.htm Jesus as a boy (p4a.com)]
* [http://www.skinnerinc.com/pdf/brochure/Mar-Apr-May-2006BRO.pdf Skinner Inc. catalogue with image of gilt Les Violettes statuette] (pdf)