Agathon Léonard (1841-1923)

Young Hurdy-Gurdy Girl – Circa 1870

Agathon Léonard Van Weydeveldt, known as Agathon Léonard, Belgian sculptor naturalized French, born in Lille on August 28, 1841. He entered the Academy of Fine Arts in his native city, then exhibited at the Salon of 1868 in Paris where he settled.

In 1887, Agathon Léonard became a member of the Society of French Artists, then, in 1897, left it to be part of the National Society of Fine Arts. He mainly worked with marble, quartz, bronze or ivory, creating busts, statuettes, medallions and pottery. Leonardo also painted genre scenes with children (usually small format), although his pictorial work was overshadowed by his enormous success as a sculptor.

Although he obtained few orders from the State, Agathon Léonard acquired notoriety during his lifetime thanks to his small format sculptures, representative of Art Nouveau, such as the famous dancers of the "Jeu de l'écharpe" exhibited at the 1900 Paris Universal Exhibition. By bringing sculpture closer to goldsmithing and jewellery-making, he contributed to rejuvenating it and introducing it into mainstream life.

Agathon Léonard was named Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1900. He died in Paris on November 12, 1923.

This small oil on canvas represents a young girl begging in the street with a hurdy-gurdy. Note her delicate facial features. This work is in very good condition, with signs of past restoration.

Souces: Benezit, Dictionary of Artists; Archives de France.

Artist: Agathon Léonard (1841-1923).
Signed in the lower right corner.
Medium: Oil on canvas.
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 32 x 24 cmm / 12 ½ x 9 ½ in.
Frame: 48 x 40 cm. / 19 x 15 ¾ in. Gilt wood and stucco, 19th century. Good condition.
Origin: France.