Emmanuel Villanis was a French sculptor best known for his small-scale bronze statuettes that blended the styles of traditional Neoclassicism with the elegant lines of Art Nouveau. Villanis’s depictions of the female form frequently featured elements of mythology and floral adornments. He projected the suggestion of eroticism through his sensuous, often ecstatically posed nudes. Born on December 12, 1858 in Lille, France, the artist studied in Turin at the Accademia Albertina before settling in Paris in 1885. A prolific producer of busts during his career, he enjoyed international acclaim for his work. Villanis died on August 28, 1914 in Paris, France at the age of 55.