Item Description
An important and unique monumental wall sculpture by Léon Leyritz, created in 1963 when the artist was 75 years old. Executed in lead over a steel armature, this commanding piece measures 130 x 110 cm, with a depth of 20 cm. Best known for his contributions to French Art Deco sculpture and architectural reliefs, Leyritz here demonstrates the expressive force of his late oeuvre. The choice of lead—dense, malleable, and inherently tactile—imbues the surface with a remarkable material presence. Its subtle tonal variations and softly reflective qualities animate the relief, responding sensitively to changing light conditions. The composition reveals a mature sculptor working with confidence and economy. The modeled planes project dynamically from the steel framework, creating a rhythmic interplay of mass and shadow. Despite its substantial scale and material weight, the work maintains a refined balance between structure and gesture. Created at a pivotal moment in the 1960s—when modernist abstraction had firmly taken hold—this sculpture stands as a powerful testament to Leyritz’s continued relevance and artistic vitality. It bridges the decorative architectural traditions of the early 20th century with the more expressive sculptural language of the postwar era. As a one-of-a-kind work of significant scale and presence, this 1963 wall sculpture represents a rare opportunity to acquire a museum-quality piece by an established French master. Its architectural proportions make it ideally suited for a prominent placement in a private or institutional collection. A singular statement work of enduring gravitas and sculptural authority.
