PROVENANCE:
Galerie Makassar, Paris
Acquired from the above by the present owner, circa 1995

ILLUSTRATED:
Ferdinand Parpan Sculpteur, les Editions de l’Amateur, Paris , 1989, color illustrated, cover page & pp.72- 73, p.156 (another cast)
Jean-Charles Hachet , Ferdinand Parpan, L'intuition des formes, Somogy éditions d'Art, Paris, 2001, illustrated, p. 236 (another cast)

This painting is to be sold with a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist, issued by Makassar-France.

“L'accordéonniste” is a considered as Parpan’s finest representation of work, as a talented sculptor, Parpan familiarized himself with all kinds of medium and was able to employ the material at ease. As seen in the present work of “L'accordéonniste,” Parpan conducted this sculpture with a simplest lines, outlining the contours of this elegant yet dynamic accordionist. Since Parpan was a music enthusiast, as recalled, he found himself fascinated by an exceptional accordionist at a concert hall one night, Parpan then created an entire series of works based on the subjects of instrument performers, such as violinists, trombonists, harpists, and accordionists. Looking at the present lot, the face of the accordionist is omitted, left with the instrument and the sounding feet of the accordionist in situ. It is likely that the as one become too carried away with the sound of music, one would sway with the rhythm of the music, gradually, the accordionist became synthesized with the instrument as one harmonized unit as represented in this particular sculpture. Parpan was able to demonstrate power and vitality with the use of simple outlines. This particular work of Parpan also reflected the apparent influence of 1920-1930s Art Deco movement, in which there is an emphasis on the use of decorative patter ns and streamlined forms, escaping away from traditional styles. Overall, this particular work of Parpan fully epitomized the fashionable beauty in the era of the Moder n Art periods of the 1920-1930s.