Definition

Proper noun A French sculptor (1861-1944) renowned for creating classical, serene, and monumental sculptures, primarily of the female nude form. His work is celebrated for its emphasis on volume, balance, and simplified, harmonious forms, marking a return to classical ideals in early 20th-century sculpture.

Usage

The term "Aristide Maillol" is used to refer to the artist himself, his body of work, or his distinctive artistic style. * The museum's modern wing features a beautiful bronze by Aristide Maillol. * Her painting style shows a clear influence of Aristide Maillol in its treatment of form. * The exhibition, "Aristide Maillol and the Female Form," traces his artistic evolution.

Advanced Usage

• Maillolesque (adj): Describing artwork, particularly sculpture, that possesses the qualities characteristic of Maillol's style—monumental, simplified, classically balanced, and focused on the female nude.
  • The artist's later figures became more Maillolesque, emphasizing solidity and repose.

Variants and Related Words

• Maillol: A common shortened reference to the artist.
  • The garden is adorned with several sculptures by Maillol.

Synonyms

• Sculptor: A general term for an artist who creates sculptures.
• Modernist: An artist who was part of or influenced by modern art movements, though Maillol's work is often seen as a classical counterpoint to more radical modernism.

Related Concepts

• Classical Revival: The renewed interest in the art and ideals of ancient Greece and Rome, which heavily influenced Maillol's aesthetic.
• Monumental Nude: A large-scale sculpture of an unclothed human figure, which was Maillol's primary subject.
• Volume and Mass: Key artistic principles central to Maillol's work, referring to the three-dimensional solidity and weight of his forms.

Noun

1. French sculptor of monumental female nudes (1861-1944)