Mid-20th Century Terracotta Head of a Youth Signed Henri Lagriffoul - 11¾"

A contemplative terracotta head of an adolescent, mid twentieth century, signed Henri Lagriffoul (1907-1981). The modeling is fine and restrained, with a quiet gaze and slender neck rising from a square wooden plinth. A warm brown patina softens the planes and highlights the delicacy of the features. The shaved and unadorned head is striking, inviting readings that range from a postwar ideal of clarity and renewal to a broader reflection on vulnerability. Shaped by the experience of a generation marked by the Second World War, and by Lagriffoul’s own service, the work carries a quiet gravity that lends the figure an understated sense of resilience and human fragility. Very good condition with gentle surface wear and small scuffs to the base consistent with age.

Henri-Albert Lagriffoul (1907–1981) was a highly respected French sculptor and medallist, trained at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he won the prestigious Premier Grand Prix de Rome for sculpture in 1932. His career encompassed public monuments, portraiture, and medal design, notably including models for the figure of Marianne used on French coinage in the 1960s. 

Displayed on a console, pedestal, or library shelf, this sculpture brings a calm, reflective presence to a room. Its small scale and earthy color sit well with natural woods, linen, and stoneware, while directional light will deepen the patina and emphasize the sculptor’s sensitive touch.

Condition and patina consistent with age.
Approx. overall 11¾" high x 6¾" wide x 5½" deep
Approx. overall 30cm high x 17cm wide x 14cm deep