Elégance, a monumental plaster relief by the sculptor Alfred Janniot (1889-1969), is without doubt the highlight of the summer exhibition at Ben Elwes Fine Art. A natural heir to the legacy of Auguste Rodin, Janniot created this bas-relief in preparation for his commission at the Rockefeller Center in New York City, in 1930.

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In the figure of Elégance, her draped body recalls not only ancient Roman sculptures of the goddess of love, Venus, but also the figure of the goddess in Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. This graceful yet imposing sculpture, together with the gallery's fine collection of Old Master and 19th century paintings are to be unveiled at Brown’s London Art Weekend.

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Pictured below: Alfred Janniot (1889-1969), Elégance, c. 1930, plaster (253 x 118 x 28 cm).  

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