In these days of September, we mark the 140^th birth anniversary of Demetre Chiparus, the sculptor who largely defined the visual style of the Art Deco era. He did not merely follow the fashion of “The Roaring Twenties"; he created it himself through sculptural forms. Today, the legacy of the sculptor is recognized as the pinnacle of the style, and his artistic and technical innovations transformed the approach to creating small-scale decorative sculpture.

The major achievement of Chiparus was his reimagining of the ancient technique of chryselephantine. Known since antiquity, this combination of ivory and gold was adapted by the sculptor for the industrial age. He combined carved ivory – used for exposed areas of the body such as faces and hands, with cast, patinated bronze for the highly intricate costumes. Chiparus was also a pioneer in metalworking technologies. The artisan combined chemical etching, cold painting, and multicoloured bronze patination, achieving the effect of shimmering silk, brocade, and precious stones on his heroines' dresses. Chiparus was one of the first major artisans to work with spelter (a zinc alloy) and ivorine (synthetic ivory substitute). This allowed his concepts to be replicated in a more affordable market segment without compromising the quality of the sculpting. He also completely revolutionized the approach to pedestals: the sculptor rejected simple solutions and made massive, geometric vases of marble and onyx a vital part of the composition, maintaining the complex balance of the dynamic figures.

Chiparus transformed the subject matter of chamber sculpture as well. Prior to him, small-scale sculpture leaned toward academic realism, everyday scenes, or the fluid, organic lines of Art Nouveau. Chiparus, however, infused it with a synthesis of theatre, cinema, and avant-garde dance. His primary sources of inspiration were Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and the choreography of Vaslav Nijinsky, Ida Rubinstein, and Bronislava Nijinska, as well as the vibrant energy of Parisian jazz cabarets. The figures froze in expressive poses, transmitting the pure dynamics of movement to the viewer. Another major catalyst was the "Egyptomania" following the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922, which inspired his graphic series of Eastern dancers.

The museum Collection Repository features a rare and remarkably complete assemblage of the artisan’s works, allowing visitors to visually trace the evolution of his artistic language. The exposition features all key directions of Chiparus's creative output. Items like “Water Carrier” and “Messenger of love” (circa 1920) demonstrate the origins of his craftsmanship. These are classical, solid-cast bronze figurines where the author is still exploring the plasticity of the human body and folklore motifs. A series of iconic female figures – “Dharani” (The Delhi Dancer), “Hungarian Dancer”, “Olynthus Dancer”, and “Thais” – epitomizes the master's mature style, characterized by the delicate graphics of costumes reminiscent of Leon Bakst's sketches and jewelry-like precision in details.

The famous composition "Pierrot and Columbine. The endless story" shows how Chiparus masterfully reinterpreted classical theatrical archetypes: in his hands, the ancient characters of the wandering theatre took on the sharp, faceted forms of Art Deco, becoming a symbol of the 1920s aesthetics. Meanwhile, works like “After reading”, “Leaving the bath”, and “Woman with a mirror” reveal Chiparus as a subtle lyricist, capturing the daily rituals and beauty ideals of his era.

Demetre Chiparus proved that a small interior figurine could be a genuine work of art, reflecting the vibrant mood of the era. Creative work of the sculptor demonstrates that even a minor decorative form is capable of conveying the character and aesthetics of the entire generation. By combining metal, ivory, and the energy of dance, the artisan created a unique visual style that became the ultimate symbol of the Art Deco era.

To mark the 140^th anniversary of Demetre Chiparus, we have updated the "Western European Sculpture" section of the museum "Collection", bringing together the definitive masterpieces by the sculptor.