Demetre Chiparus

Demetre H. Chiparus (1886-1947) was a Romanian Art Deco sculptor. He studied his art first in Italy and then attended the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris in 1912, where he studied under two talented sculptors, Anonin Mercier and Jean Boucher.

His early work were created in the realistic style and he exhibited at the Salon of 1914. His mature style started to emerge in the 1920s and he became famous for sculpting dancers with a long, slender stylized appearance. His work is considered remarkable for their incredibly decorative and bright effect. His work was also influenced by Egyptian motifs after the excavation of Tutankhamen’s tomb came to public attention.

His work is considered to be the classic manifestation of the Art Deco style and uses four main themes: works influenced by Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes and Leon Bakst’s stage designs, ancient Egyptian art, French theatre and early motion pictures. He often used photos of stars and models taken from the fashion magazines of his time.

He died in Paris in 1947 after suffering a stroke, He is considered to be one of the most important artists of the Art Deco period.