CÉSAR (César Baldaccini)
A leading figure of Nouveau Réalisme, César (1921-1998) is renowned for his compressions, expansions, and the César trophy. Galerie 125 showcases his original lithographs and screenprints. Discover the selection above.
César, the Sculptor of Compressions and Expansions
César Baldaccini, known as César (1921-1998), is one of the most famous French sculptors of the 20th century. A figure of Nouveau Réalisme, he transformed scrap metal, compressed cars, and expanded resin into artworks, and created the famous trophy bearing his name, awarded annually in French cinema.
- 1921: born on January 1 in Marseille, in the Belle de Mai district.
- 1935-1943: studies at the Beaux-Arts in Marseille.
- 1943: arrives in Paris and enters the Beaux-Arts.
- 1960: presents his first compressions at the Salon de Mai and joins the Nouveaux Réalistes.
- 1967: first expansions in polyurethane foam.
- 1975: creates the César cinema trophy, awarded for the first time in 1976.
- 1998: dies in Paris, on December 6.
The Son of Italian Immigrants from Marseille
Born in Marseille to Tuscan parents, César grew up in the working-class Belle de Mai district. He studied at the Beaux-Arts in Marseille, then moved to Paris in 1943. Lacking the means to buy marble or bronze, he salvaged scrap metal, bolts, and pipes, which he assembled by welding. His early iron sculptures, insects, animals, and female nudes like "La Victoire de Villetaneuse," gained him recognition in the 1950s.
The Compressions
In 1960, César presented three cars crushed by a hydraulic press at the Salon de Mai: it was both scandalous and glorious. These "directed compressions," colorful metal blocks with complex strata, made him a figure of Nouveau Réalisme, alongside Arman, Raymond Hains, and Jean Tinguely, united by critic Pierre Restany. He later compressed all sorts of materials: cars, motorcycles, jewelry, postcards, flags, metal plates, and even cans or papers.
The Expansions and Imprints
Starting in 1967, César explored the opposite of compression: expansion. He let polyurethane foam flow, swell, spread, and solidify into unpredictable shapes, often lacquered in bright colors. He also created enlarged "imprints" of his own body, like the famous giant "Pouce," found in many cities, including Marseille, La Défense, and Seoul.
The César Trophy and Acclaim
In 1975, he designed the César trophy statuette, awarded since 1976 to the best films and actors in French cinema. Representing France at the Venice Biennale in 1995, honored by a retrospective at the Fondation Cartier in 2008 and the Centre Pompidou in 2017, César remains one of the most popular and collected sculptors of his time.
Lithographs and Screenprints
César also produced significant graphic work. His "Portraits de compression," original lithographs from the 1980s, transpose his compressions of flags, postcards, or metal plates onto paper, with a great richness of colors and materials. His screenprints and posters, such as those dedicated to the Nice carnival or his motorcycle compressions, are equally appreciated.
Choosing a Work by César
- The "Portraits de compression" in original lithograph perfectly encapsulate his sculptor's gesture.
- The compressions of French or Italian flags are among the most graphic subjects.
- His prints, colorful and contemporary, fit seamlessly into any interior.
- Each work offered by the gallery is precisely described and sold with an invoice-certificate.
César at Galerie 125
The gallery presents above its original lithographs "Portrait de compression" of French flags, Italian flags, metal plates, or postcards from Nice airport, as well as works like "Carnaval de Nice" and a screenprint of motorcycle compression, subject to availability. They are shipped carefully packaged, with tracking, insurance, and certificate. Other sculptors to discover: Alexander Calder, Pol Bury, and François-Xavier Lalanne, as well as our selection of sculptures.
Do you own a work by César and wish to sell it? Discover how to proceed on our Sell a Work page.