The Bookends, 2023

Christian Maas is a French sculptor known for his polished aluminum and bronze work. Mass’ most-visited subject matter includes the eroticised, nude female form and realistic animals, including bulldogs, horses, and jaguars. His sculptures—ranging in scale from figurines to monumental outdoor pieces—are made using the lost wax technique to produce casts which are then filled with molten metal. “My pieces are like bolts of enthusiasm, impromptu visual musings,” the artist has said. “Like a surgeon, I meticulously dissect my subjects, breaking them down to understand how best to recreate them.” Born on September 11, 1951 in Saint Étienne, France, the sculptor apprenticed in foundries throughout the country before starting his own workshop. Maas’ works are in the collections of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco and the Museum of the Sea in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, among others. He lives and works in Vaulx-en-Velin, France.