Madame Récamier

Dimensions: 2.9 x 2 x 1.5 m
Materials: Hay, steel frame

The Madame Récamier is one of the most sophisticated pieces in Ernő Bartha’s hay-sculpture series. The artist reinterprets one of Neoclassicism’s most famous visual icons, bringing it into his own organic realm. While the original inspiration is a symbol of social etiquette and cool beauty, Bartha’s sculpture infuses the reclining female form with the raw power of nature and the scent of the earth.
Artistic Analysis:
Classical Dialogue: The work is a direct reference to Jacques-Louis David’s 1800 portrait, yet the artist dissolves the rigid 19th-century boundaries. The furniture and the body merge into a single, continuous organic mass.
The Resting Form: The horizontal composition radiates calm and stability, providing a visual counterpoint to the vertical energy of the Skyscraper or the Time Spiral. Here, the hay fibers do not strive upward but gently follow the contours of the body, emphasizing feminine grace.
Material and Synthesis: This piece perfectly embodies the principle where “organic material meets organic form”. The synthesis of the human figure and plant fibers symbolizes the cycle of life and humanity’s return to nature.
Bespoke Leather Edition: In addition to the classic hay and metallic finishes, Madame Récamier is available in an exclusive, hand-crafted leather-clad edition. This limited series represents the ultimate fusion of materials, adding a tactile luxury and a sophisticated aesthetic to the organic form.