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Belle Époque's Star Sculptor Rediscovered
28 Mar
Summary
- Paul Troubetzkoy sculpted famous figures like Tolstoy and the Rothschilds.
- His tactile style captured movement but fell out of favor with critics.
- An exhibition in Milan aims to reintroduce his work to the public.
The Gallery of Modern Art in Milan is currently hosting an exhibition titled "Paul Troubetzkoy: The Sculptor of the Belle Époque," running through June 28. This show aims to bring renewed attention to the artist, who was once a celebrated portraitist of global elites but has since faded from public recognition.
Troubetzkoy, an Italian prince with Russian roots, was a prolific sculptor from the late 1880s until his death in 1938. He captured the likenesses of prominent figures of his era, including Leo Tolstoy, Giacomo Puccini, and wealthy families like the Rothschilds and Rockefellers. His work also extended to early Hollywood stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks.
In 1931, his London exhibition at Colnaghi featured a preface by George Bernard Shaw, who praised him as "the most astonishing sculptor of modern times." Despite his early success and distinctive style, characterized by fluid, tactile modeling that emphasized movement, Troubetzkoy's consistent commitment to figurative ideals led to his marginalization by later critics who favored abstraction.
Curator Omar Cucciniello notes that critics "tended to overlook him" as artistic trends evolved. The Milan exhibition seeks to correct this historical oversight by showcasing dozens of works by this "naturally cosmopolitan artist."
