American Modernist Sculpture Bust of a Man by Lucile Leslie Swan & Valsuani

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Lucile Leslie Swan
United States, 1890-1965

Bust of a Man

Lost-wax patinated bronze | signed in cast "L. Leslie /33", … Read more Lucile Leslie Swan
United States, 1890-1965

Bust of a Man

Lost-wax patinated bronze | signed in cast "L. Leslie /33", sealed verso "A. VALSUANI cire perdue"

Item # 410REP02A

Cast using the lost-wax method the Valsuani foundry was renowned for perfecting, this fine modernist bust showcases loose modeling to create a chaotic surface while articulating an exactiingly realist sense of her sitter. His powerful features and stoic profile evoke a character of great seriousness. The bust is cast hollow and is raised on an early wooden plinth.

Leslie Swan (born Lucile Swan, May 10, 1890, Sioux City, Iowa) was an American sculptor and painter, known for her sensitive and evocative portrayals of human figures, informed by her extensive travels and intellectual exchanges. After receiving early education at an Episcopal boarding school, she moved to Chicago in 1903 and began her studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1908. In 1912, she married fellow artist Jerome Blum. Over the next decade, Swan’s artistic career took her to Corsica, Japan, China, Tahiti, and France, where she immersed herself in the diverse cultures and artistic traditions she encountered.

In 1924, following her divorce, Swan relocated to New York City, where she continued her work as both a painter and sculptor. Five years later, she accepted a significant commission from the Cenozoic Laboratory in Beijing, beginning a transformative period in her career. It was in China that she met the philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, and their friendship would profoundly influence her work and life. Swan's portrait bust of Teilhard, now housed at the Museum of Natural History in Paris, remains one of her most celebrated pieces. She also created a reconstruction of the Sinanthropus skull, a project supervised by German anatomist Franz Weidenreich.

During her time in Beijing, Swan modeled a variety of subjects, from Western intellectuals to local Chinese figures. Her sculptures of children, Chinese jugglers, and sword dancers vividly captured the everyday life around her, offering a glimpse into the cultural landscape of early 20th-century China. Her work, especially in clay, reflects a fascination with movement, gesture, and the human form, often infused with a deep empathy for her subjects.

In 1941, as the Japanese occupation of China loomed, Swan left Beijing and moved to Washington, D.C., where she lived for the remainder of her life. Though geographically distanced from her earlier experiences, she continued to correspond with Teilhard de Chardin until his death in 1955, and her creative output remained a significant part of her life.

Leslie Swan passed away on May 2, 1965, in New York City. Throughout her career, her work remained grounded in a rich understanding of both the human spirit and the cultures she encountered, making her one of the more distinctive sculptors of her time.


Measurements: 18 1/2" H (total height); 12 1/2" H (bronze only); base is 5 3/4" W x 5 3/4" D

Condition Report:
Very fine original condition. Wooden plinth with wear and loss, at one point with some trim applied around the bottom that has since been removed. Ready to place. See less