BOURDELLE (Antoine)(1861-1929). Beethoven with a column. Plaster signed. 61 x 29 cm. On the column is inscribed: I am Bacchus Who squeezes for men The delicious nectar. Beethoven. Antoine Bourdelle dedicated the bust: "To Miss Henriette Charasson Very sympathetically". E. A. Bourdelle Henriette Charasson (1884-1972) was a leading figure in the world of letters between the wars. She had a relationship with Bourdelle, whose portraits of Beethoven she particularly admired. The great artist sensed her sincerity and offered to sell her a plaster cast for a very reasonable price, as the bronzes were sold exclusively by Hébrard. Three signed autograph letters from Antoine Bourdelle to Henriette Charasson, dated 3 February 1908, 11 May and 18 May 1910, two of which are about a plaster cast of Beethoven: "We will see to it that you find a Beethoven affordable to your fortune - true fortune is the gift of admiration. Provenance: acquired directly from the artist by Henriette Charasson, then by descent. Slight damage to the base. Ionel Janiou, Michel Dufet, Bourdelle, Paris, Arted-Éditions d'art, 1965, model listed on p. 71. Carol Marc Lavraillier and Michel Dufet, Bourdelle, Paris 1979, p. 163, (illustrated bronze).