CÉSAR

This book reveals the prodigious variety of the art of César (1921–1998) and highlights his radical gestures that transformed twentieth-century sculpture.

An iconoclastic figure who was conversant in classical and contemporary sculpture, his work included both figurative and abstract pieces. César constantly explored, innovating and experimenting with forms and materials ranging from the radical to the baroque, concerned only with the aesthetic tension of his sculpture.

Without regard for chronology, in an approach similar to César’s own methods, these three exhibitions freely combined soldered bronzes, Compressions, Empreintes Humaines (“Human Prints”), Expansions, and self-portraits.

César opened up several new areas of artistic exploration, returning to them tirelessly and never abandoning them, never closing any door.

These three exhibitions brought together major, iconic works and pieces that are less known, including some that had never been shown before, creating unexpected dialogues. Almine Rech Paris presented a room of portraits and self-portraits, including large plaster wall masks of the face of the artist that had not previously been exhibited. The Musée Picasso focused on the masterful Centaur, Homage to Picasso. And the presentation of César’s work in Picasso’s sculpture studio at the Château de Boisgeloup in Gisors in Normandy was a personal exploration of César’s world in the studio and included sculptures playing with Picasso’s face and his own that were shown for the first time.

A monumental Thumb was on view to the public in the gardens.

This catalogue includes essays by Stéphanie Busuttil-Janssen, president of the Fondation César, and Anne Dressen, curator at ARC (the contemporary department of the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris).

On the occasion of this publication, a show of selected pieces titled César, at first glance will take place from October 12 to December 5, 2024.

Curator: Stéphanie Busuttil-Janssen, president of the Fondation César.