Biography from Papillon Gallery:
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Leon de Leyritz was born in Paris on January 7, 1888. He studied with J.P. Aube and Antonin Mercie at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
Leyritz is best known as a sculptor of busts and monuments. He also painted frescoes as well as designs for theatres.
In 1905, Leyritz began to exhibit in the Parisian Salons. He exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants beginning in 1922. Leyritz also exhibited at the Salon des Artists Français and Salon d’Automne. He showed at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, where he won two bronze medals, two silver medals, and a gold medal in 1931. He received the Prix Chenavard in 1914.
Leyritz’s work is both monumental and small scale; it can be seen at museums and public sites around France. His marble statue titled A la Mer is in the palace of Rambouillet. In 1923, Leyritz created the figurative ceramic work Saint François d’Assise prêchant aux oiseaux (Saint Francis of Assis preaching to the birds) for the Bourse de Voyage.
Leyritz completed the Monuments aux Morts de la Guerre series between 1914 and 1918. These bronze and stone sculptures are located in Belfort, Belbeuf-les-Rouen, and Neuilly-en-Thelle. Leyritz also decorated many theatre productions most notably for the Comedies des Champs-Elysée, Theatre Saint-George.
The composer Maurice Ravel was a great friend of Leyritz; they met in 1927 when Leyritz asked to create a bust of Ravel. The bust is now on display at the Palais Garnier. After Ravel’s death, Leyritz followed his wishes and designed the décor for the final ballet, which was eventually staged at the Opera with this décor in 1941.
Leyritz created sculptures for Art Deco interiors. His use of the Cubist style was similar to that of the Jan and Joel Martel.
Leyritz died on March 26, 1976 in Fréjus, a town on the Côte D’Azure in the South of France.
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