RAPH ASSIS DÉCHIRÉ is an original bronze sculpture by Bruno Catalano, from his celebrated series Les Voyageurs, one of the most iconic bodies of work in contemporary sculpture worldwide.
Instantly recognisable by its fragmented, torn silhouette, this Bruno Catalano sculpture fully embodies the artist's poetic and powerful universe, suspended between absence, identity, memory and journey. The laceration cutting through the figure's back, the immediately identifiable visual signature of Bruno Catalano's sculptures, evokes with striking force the sense of loss, of being torn away, and of the part of oneself left behind with every departure. The seated, contemplative posture, hands clasped over the knees, lends this work a rare meditative depth. Far from the striding figures of other Voyageurs, RAPH ASSIS DÉCHIRÉ captures a moment of stillness and reflection, as though the traveller has paused between two journeys to gather his thoughts. This apparent stillness only intensifies the inner tension suggested by the tear. The blue denim overalls rendered in polychrome bronze, executed with exceptional precision and realism, bear witness to the exacting standards of finish that define Bruno Catalano's sculptures. The carefully observed details (the creased fabric, the straps, the brown leather shoes, the white shirt) reflect the artist's technical mastery and his extraordinary ability to bring his bronze figures to life. This polychrome bronze Bruno Catalano sculpture stands apart for the richness of its patina and the vibrancy of its colours, hallmarks of the artist's most sought-after works.
RAPH ASSIS DÉCHIRÉ represents a rare opportunity to acquire an original Bruno Catalano sculpture : intimate, singular, and profoundly human.
