Niki de Saint Phalle Nana Ceramic Signed Edition of 200

Artist: Niki de Saint Phalle
Title: Nana
Medium: Porcelain (white, partially glazed; polychrome decoration)
Edition: 89/200
Size: 5" High
Year: 1973
Inscription: “Niki de St. Phalle 89/200" in green glaze; impressed model number “1014" on base; “Rosenthal Germany" under-glaze mark
Documentation: Includes a gallery certificate of authenticity from Modern Artifact
Literature: Dieter Struss. Rosenthal. Augsburg 1995. p. 118. Design (form and decor) by Niki de Saint Phalle (1930 Neuilly-sur-Seine - 2002 San Diego/California)

"Nana" by Niki de Saint Phalle is a 1973 porcelain sculpture from her acclaimed Nanas series, produced in collaboration with Rosenthal AG. The work exemplifies Saint Phalle's distinctive engagement with the female form, rendered in a bold, rounded silhouette and enriched with vibrant polychrome decoration. The partially glazed surface provides a subtle modulation of color and texture, underscoring the meticulous craftsmanship inherent in this editioned work.

The Nanas first appeared in the mid-1960s as dynamic, exuberant representations of women that challenged conventional depictions of femininity. Characterized by their curvaceous proportions, striking coloration, and implied movement, these figures transform the female body into a potent symbol of vitality, self-expression, and empowerment. The figure's expressive form and chromatic richness convey both a sense of presence and an affirmation of individuality, reflecting the artist's enduring preoccupation with celebrating the human figure.

This limited edition of 200 bears the artist's signature and edition number, along with Rosenthal's mark and the impressed model number, affirming its authenticity and situating it within the broader trajectory of Saint Phalle's oeuvre as well as the distinguished craftsmanship of the Rosenthal studio.

About Niki de Saint Phalle

Niki de Saint Phalle was a French-American artist celebrated for her pioneering contributions to contemporary sculpture, painting, and installation art. Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, she gained international recognition for her bold, colorful, and often large-scale works that challenged traditional representations of the female form. Saint Phalle's multidisciplinary practice spanned sculpture, painting, ceramics, printmaking, and public art, reflecting her innovative engagement with both fine and decorative arts.

Saint Phalle is best known for her Nanas, a series of exuberant, voluminous female figures created in the mid-1960s. These works celebrate femininity, empowerment, and joy, transforming the female body into a symbol of vitality and strength. The Nanas were produced in a variety of materials, including polyester, papier-mâché, and porcelain, and have been realized in monumental public sculptures as well as limited edition collectible works.

Her artistic career also encompassed large-scale collaborative projects, most notably the Tarot Garden in Tuscany, Italy, where she constructed monumental sculptures inspired by tarot cards. Saint Phalle's work is closely associated with the Nouveau Realisme movement, which she joined in the early 1960s, and her work consistently interrogated societal norms, gender roles, and the possibilities of public art.

Throughout her life, Niki de Saint Phalle exhibited widely in museums, galleries, and public spaces worldwide. Her artworks are included in numerous private and public collections, reflecting both her enduring influence on contemporary art and her innovative approach to form, color, and narrative. Today, Saint Phalle's legacy continues to inspire artists working at the intersection of sculpture, performance, and feminist art.