Maillol, Aristide, << ma YAWL, a rees TEED >> (1861-1944), was a French sculptor. He devoted more than 40 years of his career to the theme of the female form. Maillol’s figures are his visions of beautiful, robust women, usually graceful and sensual. They are most often portrayed in quiet, deeply thoughtful poses.
The style of Maillol’s female figures changed very little during his career. Maillol was inspired by the late sculpture of French artist Pierre Auguste Renoir. He also tried to reproduce the calm, harmonious spirit of classical Greek sculpture. Much of Maillol’s work is life-sized and cast in bronze.
Maillol was born on Dec. 8, 1861, in Banyuls-sur-Mer, near Perpignan. He worked as a painter and a tapestry designer before turning full-time to sculpture about the age of 40. He also made woodcuts to illustrate books. He died on Sept. 27, 1944.
