Collection Wolfers & Petrucci: Hidden Treasures

Marcel Wolfers
Isis, 1919–1920
Patinated oak
Dimensions: 39,5 × 25,5 × 28 cm
Signed: “Marcel Wolfers”, on the side of the sculpture
Marked: with a brand-mark symbol of St-Georges
This work is unique.
Provenance:
Marcel Wolfers
Hottat Collection, Brussels (acquired from the above
in 1921 in Paris for 3000,- frcs)
Marcel Wolfers and Clairette Petrucci collection
(probably acquired on the sale of the Hottat
collection in May 1954)
Exhibited:
Paris, Salon d’Automne: Les Ymagiers Belges,
01/11–20/12/1921, cat. No. 2875
Ghent, Design museum Gent, 16/12/2006–09/04/2007
Bibliography:
Adriaenssens W.; Steel R., De Wolfers Dynastie –
van art nouveau tot art deco, Gent, Design museum
Gent, 2006, p. 219 (with photo)
The “Isis” bust was originally conceived in 1912. The bust was modelled after
Yvonne Wolfers (1896–1981), daughter of Mathilde Wolfers, sister of Philippe
Wolfers. The bust was a fairly realist and somewhat static portrait of Yvonne, with
a reference to the goddess Isis, on a high marble pedestal. In 1919 Marcel Wolfers
decided to rework the bust. He tilted the head of the sitter slightly backwards,
giving movement to the composition and accentuating the scarab decorated hair
ornament. By starting the composition just at the height of the neck (the marble
version showing the shoulders), the composition acquired better proportions.
Regarding the early work of Marcel, “Isis” along with “Bilitis” are often cited as
his most sensuous sculptures. Georges Verdavaine wrote in Le Home magazine:
“Isis est devant nous. Regardez la pureté de son front, la sérénité de ses traits, la
loyauté de son regard, la promesse de ses lèvres, où la volupté met une caresse en
un sourire discret. Discrétion qui n’exclut ni la fierté, ni l’orgueil, ni la noblesse.
Les cheveux s’agitent et flottent. Et la déesse apparaît, dans le charme de la
séduction, comme la fille même d’une civilisation qui éclairera le monde. Isis !”
The oak version was sculpted out of an
ancient beam, salvaged from a construction
site. It was first presented at the Salon
d’Automne in Paris in 1921, where it
was acquired by the very important and
influential collector Albert Hottat from
Brussels. When it was sold in 1954, in the
sale of the collection of Hottat, Marcel
Wolfers could not resist buying it back for his
own collection.
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