Malvina Cornell Hoffman (American, 1885-1966) "La Main droite de Jean-Julien Lemordant". Malvina Hoffman studied with Auguste Rodin in Paris around 1910 and later in the 1920's with Ivan Mestrovic in Yugoslavia. The present sculpture of the right hand of the French painter Jean-Julien Lemordant (1882 -1968) was cast by the Alexis Rudier foundry in 1926. Jean-Julien Lemordant enlisted as a private in the French army in World War 1 at the age of 37 and was taken prisoner after being wounded on several occasions. He was left blinded and totally paralyzed on his left side and rendered dumb from his numerous war injuries. Lemordant finally regained his sight after several operations 50 years later, howevert for the remainder of his life he had use only of his right hand. His close relationship with Hoffman enabled Lemordant to have an exhibition in New York at the Wildenstein Gallery in 1917 with the help of Helen Clay Frick (then considered the richest lady in America -- having inherited $38 million). Both Helen Clay Frick and Malvina Hoffman purchased a number of Lemordant's expressive paintings at this exhibition.
The present bronze is signed with a monogram fro Malvina Hoffman, dated 1926 and initialed JJL and also marked Alexis Rudier fondeur Paris. In the interior of the cast there is an old paper label inscribed in blue ink "hand of Lemordant". Patinated in black, with dark green and brown undertones. The sculpture is quite possibly a unique cast and is mentioned in a catalog of Malvina Hoffman's works.
Dimensions: Total height 15 &3/4 inches