Félia Litvinne as Brünnhilde

by Boleslas Biegas

Boleslas Biegas (Koziczyn, 1877-1954, Paris)
A bronze sculpture representing opera singer Félia Litvinne as Brünnhilde. Designed in 1911. Signed and numbered 2/8.

Height 18.9" Width 22.44" Depth 6.69"

After emerging on the Polish artistic scene at the end of the 19th century, Bolesław Biegas took part in exhibitions with the Vienna Secession. With the support of a couple of patrons, he moved to Paris at the end of 1901. Drawing inspiration from Slavic primitivism, he started reinventing sculpture, attracting the attention of critics of the international Avant Garde. A special issue of La Plume Magazine was dedicated to his geometric shapes and frontal compositions, two years after another issue had been devoted to Rodin’s work. In 1907, one of Biegas’ paintings caused a scandal at the Salon des Indépendants. He then started sculpting in the round, making effigies of Adam, Eva and a Birth of Thought which were cast by Rudier in 1910.

In June 1911, the Wagnerian Tetralogy was staged for the first time at the Paris Opera, with Franco-Russian soprano Félia Litvinne (1860-1936) singing the part of Brünnhilde, Richard Wagner's most famous Valkyrie, with her powerful, wide-ranging and moving voice. The famous singer had met the sculptor thanks to Edouard de Reske and Teodor de Wyzewa, co-founders of the Wagnerian Review. Representing her as Brünnhilde - standing in front of her horse, staring at us, wearing a helmet and a belt of invincibility - Biegas caused quite a stir when he made this sculpture the main attraction of the exhibition he organized in his Paris studio while the opera was staged.