JOSEPH MARIA THOMAS (JEF) LAMBEAUX | LEDA AND THE SWAN

Jef Lambeaux was arguably the most important Belgian sculptor of the late 19th century. He was known for his erotic works, and caused controversy with his explicit nudes several times in the 19th century: his relief Human Passions was seen as indecent when it was unveiled to the public in 1899. The risqué subject of Leda and the Swan was tackled by the sculptor several times, and perhaps most elegantly in the present bronze, which sees Leda teasing her seducer with an apple.