Ary Bitter

THE BIOGRAPHY OF ARY BITTER
Ary Bitter was a renowned sculptor in bronze, stone, marble, terracotta, and ceramics, he created mythological subject, female figures, and groups with animals. 

He was born in Marseille, France on May 29, 1883. He joined the studio of Ernest Louis Barrias in November of 1902.  From 1904 to 1913, he attended the workshop of J.Coutan in the company of Sylvestre, Grange, and Sarrabezolles. Ary Bitter was a leading sculptor during the inter-war period in France. He studied at l'Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts, and as well as exhibiting in the Salon des Artistes Francais. 

From 1910 to 1939 he exhibited regularly at the Salon des Artistes Francais, receiving many awards and medals including Bronze 1913, Silver 1921, and Gold 1924 for his "Diane" Stone Sculpture. In 1925, along with Sylvestre, Fiot, Godchaux, and Guyot, he exhibited at the Susse Gallery in Paris, and the same year, at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris.  Again that same year, he signed a contract with Susse and in the following year with Les Neveux de J. Lehmann.  In 1937, he participated in the Exposition Internationale des Arts et des Techniques in Paris.  He also exhibited glass works, and ceramics, along with M.Bouraine at the Palais de la Céramique and Heracles (Bronze) at the Palais du Métal with Guyot, Guino, Fiot, and Sylvestre.  In 1938, he executed terracotta works for the Museum Hector Berliotz.  He also produced several monumental works, and decorative fountains.

He won several prizes throughout his life for his sculpture, including a bronze medal from the Salon, the Legion of Honour in 1932, and the Diploma of Honour in 1937. His work can be found in several important museums, such as the Musee National d'Art Moderne (Paris), Musee des Beaux-Arts (Marseille), Musee Hector Berlioz, amongst others. His monumental sculptures can be found in Marseille, Cambo-les-bains, Sanary-sur-mer, Bargemon and Barentin.

In 1921, he was commissioned to work on the Sanary-sur-Mer war memorial as well as those in the Marseille cemeteries of St Louis and St Jérôme. In 1923, he created a "mascot" for Mme Louis Renault's car. and 1924 saw him win the gold at that years Paris Salon and the next year he was one of the sculptors featured by the founder Susse Frères in an exhibition at the Boulevard de la Madeleine showroom. He was in fact commissioned by Susse Frères to work with them on several limited editions. In 1926 his work was part of the decoration of Marseille's St Charles station and the work "Bonne Mère" for the Cathedral. In 1927, he exhibited the work "Chloé allongée" at the Salon. And 1931 saw him exhibit a bronze version of "Diane Chasseresse" and in 1932 he was made a "Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur" and his "Cajolerie" was declared "hors concours" at that year's Salon. In 1935 he showed two works at the Salon, "Léda" and "Le Cygne".

Ary Bitter lived a fulfilled career life. He was well recognised in Paris and his works is still displayed in popular museums of the world till date. He died in Paris in 1973.

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