Sorel Etrog (1933 - 2014) is arguably Canada's most famous sculptor.
His work can be found in numerous museum and private collections including the Tate, the AGO and LACMA.
His public sculptures can be found on iconic corners in Toronto, Montreal, Israel and beyond.
The Art Gallery of Ontario organized a major retrospective of his work that ran during 2013.
This work is the earliest Etrog sculpture Caviar20 has handled to date. It is from Etrog's prime period, when he was being exhibited and heralded around the world.
"La Mer" was first exhibited in Toronto (at the Moos Gallery) in 1964 followed by solo exhibitions in Los Angeles (at the Felix Landau Gallery) and Montreal (at Galerie Dresdnere) in 1965.
While the tone of Etrog's works gets notably darker during the 1960's as he explores the relationship between man and machine as well as existentialism, sculptures like "La Mer" demonstrate a gentler Modernist sensuality and poetry.
The title itself is perhaps a play on words. Is Etrog personifying the sea (the French word for "la mer") or making a reference to a universal mother - as "la mere" is also French for "mother". Regardless, in this work a dynamic figure seems to rise or hover above a rippling form interpreted as an ocean wave.
The full-sized example of "La Mer", standing at 34" and also editioned, sold for $88,500 in November 2016.
Additional images available on request.
Questions about this piece? Contact us or call +1.416.704.1720
"Study for La Mer"
Bronze, from an edition of 10
Incised signature and number
Canada, circa 1962
9"H
Excellent condition
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