Henri Laurens, worker’s son, was born in Paris in 1885. Self-taught man, he trained alone for modelling and drawing that he began when he was a kid. He became an apprentice with a stonecarver, specialist of decoration for building fronts, while Laurens went to evening lessons at the « Père Perrin », rue Turgot. 

Before meeting Georges Braque in 1911, Henri Laurens created his first sculptures influenced by Rodin. His first exhibition was at the Salon des Indépendants in 1913. Picasso organized a meeting between Laurens and Léonce Rosenberg who, enthustiastic, purchased some of his sculptures and accepted to organize his first personal exhibition in 1916. 

Without being linked to any artistic movement, he will first be interested by Cubism before give it up in the 1920’. 

His œuvre could be separated in two main periods, one with cubist inspiration pieces from 1910 to 1920, when he used carboard and stone and a second one after 1920 when he developped a new manner with smooth lines. He worked then clay, smooth material which suits perfectly with his complex sculpture, allowing monumentality which is perfectly illustrated by our model.

Discrete person, Laurens will only get success after the Second World War. His influence could be felt with artists like Moore or Lobo and Giacometti who considered him as one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century.