Large Farmhouse Table

This long, solid wood farmhouse table was acquired by Bourdelle, along with the two benches (ICO035), from an antique dealer on the Boulevard Raspail, Paris, in early 1921. The choice of beautiful rustic furniture for the sculpture studio testifies to Bourdelle's loyalty to his simple, rural origins, even though he was enjoying a degree of affluence by that time. After the First World War, the sculpture studio became a studiolo where he received visitors and displayed his collections, as recounted by a journalist in 1922: “On a solid wood table that looks huge to me, there were open boxes and drawings by his compatriot, Ingres.” (Translated from French) Another writer described Bourdelle sitting at the table, as can be seen in a photograph of the studio (MBPV4028): “Bourdelle sits before me, Bourdelle, the most powerful of contemporary sculptors. […] With his large body draped in a clay-coloured sort of robe, he sits, leaning on the oak table. The smile on his faun-like face is long and hairy, among this beautiful, rustic upon.” (Translated from French)

Bourdelle often recalled that he had first learned his trade from his father, “who made honest, solid, rustic furniture with consummate skill. It was so logically adapted to its purpose, and pleasing to the eye, as well as to the hand that constantly polishes and repolishes it.” This was where he had learned a sense of construction, which he considered essential to sculpture: “I think that carving wood for a breadbox, table or stepladder is what taught me most about the balance of upon.” (Translated from French)

Valérie Montalbetti Kervella