Breton Wrestlers (group), 1929
Malvina HoffmanBronze with brown patina
Toe Hold: 13 5⁄8 × 14 1⁄4 × 6 5⁄8 inches
Grapple Hold: 13 5⁄8 × 8 5⁄16 × 7 inches
Upsidedown Hold: 19 5⁄8 × 6 1⁄2 × 5 1⁄2 inches
Signed (at top rear of self base): Malvina Hoffman 1929
Marked (at top front of self base): Taol Bistrout, Lutteurs Bretons
Marked (at rear vertical edge): Roman Bronze Works NY
Provenance
The artist
Private Collection, Chicago Illinois
The wrestlers were done from actual Breton athletes, at St. Guenole – the tip end of Finistere in Brittany, France. After I saw them on the beach there I persuaded them to come to Paris where I could finish the details of the three positions and have them authenticated. This form of wrestling, I am told, is no longer permitted, as there were too many serious accidents, and sometimes broken necks.
-M. Hoffman
April 27, 1962