French Early 20th Century Bronze Bust Signed S. Zélikson, Paris c.1930

French early 20th Century Bronze Bust Signed S. Zélikson, Paris France circa 1930 Beautiful sculpture Impressive heavy bronze bust on stand Light Verdigris patination Signed Serge Zélikson, Paris on the lower left Serge Zélikson (1890-1966) Serge Zélikson (1890-1966) was born in Belarus, in the Vitebsk district (formerly Polotsk, now Dnepropetrovsk city) during the Russian Empire. He received his secondary education in his native country. In 1912, he won a scholarship to travel and went to Paris, where he studied at L’Ecole des Beaux Arts under renowned artists such as Injalbert, Bouchard, and Landowsky. During the First World War, he served in the French army, and in 1920, he acquired French citizenship, giving the Russian-born artist a French-Russian nationality. He exhibited his works at prestigious venues such as the Salon d’Automne (1924), Salon de la Société des Artistes Français, and Salon des Indépendants (repeatedly from 1920 to 1960), as well as in group exhibitions in Paris, Lille, Lyon, Nice, and Bordeaux. He also held solo exhibitions, including one at the Journal gallery in 1933 and 1934, and another at his own studio in 1964 (he rented the studio at 5 rue Larrey, formerly occupied by Auguste Rodin). Throughout his career, Serge Zélikson became a successful sculptor, medal maker, and engraver, with his pieces often featuring detailed and expressive forms. He was particularly renowned for his decorative works, bronze sculptures, figurative works, animal figures, and medals. He specialized in genre figures, figural groups, and bas-reliefs of contemporary personalities. He is most well known for his bust of Beethoven, which is his most common sculpture. One of his notable works, “Les Bateliers de la Volga,” was acquired by the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. Zélikson passed away in Paris in 1966.