Emmanuel Villanis

Emmanuel Villanis, originally from Piedmont in Italy, trained with the sculptor Odoardo Tabacchi at the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts in Turin. In 1885, Villanis moved to Paris where he settled for the rest of his life. He participated regularly in the Paris Salon between 1886 and 1910.

Villanis was particularly known for his sculptures of women, inspired by literary, mythologic and religious sources. The present enchanting bust of La Sibylle is emblematic of the Art Nouveau movement, and the artist's virtuosity is demonstrated by the variously coloured patinas, the expressive lettering of the title, and overall fine modelling of the bust.