Richard MacDonald Penche Monet 36 Inch Signed Bronze Sculpture Edition of 55

Artist: Richard MacDonald
Title: Penche Monet
Medium: Patina on Bronze Sculpture
Year: 2010
Size: 36.5" x 13" x 10.5"
Inscription: Signed on Plate and Base
Edition: 4/55
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity

Richard MacDonald's "Penche Monet" (2010) explores balance, movement, and physical tension through the elongated form of a ballet dancer. Executed in patinated bronze, the sculpture depicts the figure extending outward from a dramatically inclined pose, creating a pronounced diagonal that carries the eye through the composition. The extended limbs and carefully articulated musculature emphasize the physical discipline of ballet while giving the sculpture a strong sense of suspended motion.

The work reflects MacDonald's sustained interest in dance and performance as subjects for figurative sculpture. Rather than presenting the body as a static anatomical study, he emphasizes gesture, extension, and the relationship between the figure and the surrounding space. The modeled surface preserves the underlying anatomical structure of the body, while the patina introduces tonal variation that further defines the contours and planes of the bronze.

Standing 36.5 inches tall, "Penche Monet" demonstrates MacDonald's ability to translate the movement of a performing body into a substantial three-dimensional composition. The work is signed by the artist on the plate and base and is numbered 4/55.  It is accompanied by a Gallery Certificate of Authenticity.

About Richard MacDonald

Richard MacDonald (b. 1946) is an American sculptor best known for his contemporary figurative bronze sculpture and his exploration of movement, anatomy, and the expressive potential of the human form. Born in Pasadena, California, MacDonald studied painting, drawing, and illustration at Art Center College of Design, graduating cum laude in 1971. He initially established a successful career as a commercial illustrator before turning his attention to sculpture in the early 1980s.

Working primarily in bronze, MacDonald developed a distinctive approach to figurative sculpture based on direct observation of live models. Dancers, athletes, acrobats, and other performers have become recurring subjects, allowing him to investigate balance, gesture, physical tension, and movement in three-dimensional form. His work is frequently associated with the neo-figurative movement, combining classical study of the human figure with contemporary approaches to composition and scale.

MacDonald has produced sculptures ranging from intimate works to monumental public commissions. Notable projects include The Flair, a 26-foot bronze created for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, and Momentum, commissioned to commemorate the 100th U.S. Open Championship at Pebble Beach in 2000. His long-standing relationship with Cirque du Soleil has also influenced a significant body of work centered on performance and physical expression. MacDonald's sculptures have been exhibited internationally and are held in private, corporate, and public collections.