Bio:
Max Le Verrier was born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris, in 1891.
From an early age he showed great promise as an artist and sculptor;
and after serving in the French army during World War I, he studied
at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Geneva. During his studies in
Switzerland he met fellow sculptors Pierre le Faguays and Marcel
Bouraine, who became close friends and with whom he collaborated for
much of his life. Upon completing his studies, le Verrier returned
to France in 1919, and founded his own studio in Paris. It was at
this time that he created his first popular sculpture - the famous
'Pelican' - which was the first of a long line of animal figures
that bore his name.
LeVerrier was
awarded a Gold medal for his sculptures at the 1925 Paris
L'Exposition des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels (the famous
exhibition from which the term 'Art Deco' was derived). In 1926, Le Verrier opened
his own foundry, casting pieces for a wide range of French sculptors
of the period, including Pierre Le Faguays, Marcel Bourain, Janle,
Denis, and Charles. From the outset, he gained a reputation for the
very high quality work, exceptional detailing and accuracy of the
items that his firm produced. At the same time as running
his foundry, le Verrier continued to sculpt his own creations, and
in the 1920's he became famous for his studies of woman as part of
the Art Deco era's fascination with the ideal female form.
His female
figures are characterized by a lithe athleticism and perfect
symmetry; and are highly regarded and much sought after. LeVerrier continued
working throughout the 1930's - receiving a medal of honor at the
Paris International Exhibition in 1937 - before being arrested in
1944 for his resistance activities against the Nazi-backed regime.
He reopened his studio after World War II, and continued to sculpt
until his death in 1973.
