César Baldaccini was a leading French sculptor and a key figure in the Nouveau Réalisme movement. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Marseille and later in Paris, developing a sculptural practice that broke with traditional materials and techniques.
From the 1950s, César gained international recognition with his iconic "Compressions" - compressed blocks of metal and industrial objects in which consumption, form, and material were radically reimagined. Later came the "Expansions", monumental cast works in polyurethane or bronze, as well as combinations of both, which confirmed his technical mastery and sculptural power.
His oeuvre, both radical and poetic, merges craftsmanship with experimentation, giving everyday materials a new sculptural dignity. César is also the designer of the bronze trophy bearing his name, awarded each year at the French national film awards ceremony.