Born in Belgium in 1841, Agathon Léonard was naturalised as a French citizen in 1887, affirming his deep ties to the cultural milieu of France.
A sculptor of refined sensitivity and imagination, he rose to prominence during the height of the Art Nouveau movement, and in 1900 was honoured with the title of Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur, the highest order of merit in France, in recognition of his contribution to the arts.
Léonard is best remembered today for his celebrated series of sculptures inspired by the revolutionary American dancer Loïe Fuller, whose performances captivated fin-de-siècle audiences with their swirling silk costumes and pioneering use of theatrical lighting. Deeply moved by Fuller’s expressive choreography, Léonard created a suite of elegant female figures in flowing motion each capturing a moment of dance frozen in time. Originally conceived in 1899 for the renowned porcelain manufactory of Sèvres, the series, titled Jeu de l’écharpe (The Scarf Dance), was met with critical acclaim when exhibited at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900.
The success of these works led to their reproduction in bronze by the Süsse Frères foundry, allowing a wider audience to appreciate Léonard’s fluid, decorative style.
