Aimé-Jules Dalou Figurative Sculptures

Superb sculpture in patinated bronze "The Large Lumberjack-Farmer" by Aimé-Jules DALOU (1838 - 1902), cast by Susse Frères, large model, 78cm high. Presence of the artist's signatu...

Item # 010PHW10Z The present model is a reduction of Dalou's "Monument to Antoine Laurent Lavoisier" executed for the Grand Amphitheater of the New Sorbonne in Paris where he remains situated directly opposing the stage in a domed niche. He received the commission in 1886 for the roughly three meter high stone figure and exhibited a model for it at the Salon de la Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts of 1890 as no. 1256. Dalou received permission in 1892 to offer reductions of the model and contracted with Susse Freres to cast his sculpture, revising it into four models with slight differences. The present model is the reduction of his commission while the others have variations to the base, the positioning of the books and the posture of the figure. One of these versions he exhibited at the Salon de la Société Nationale of 1901 as no. 32. The present model was cast by the house of Susse, probably just shortly after Dalou's death in 1902. It is a technically exceptional model cast in the lost-wax method with great attention to detail shown in every aspect of the finishing - notable is the crispness of the model where every detail was faithfully captured directly from the mold along with its overall wonderful texture. It is finished in a nuanced overall dark brown artistic patination with hints of verde, ochre and red-oxide. ANTOINE LAURENT LAVOISIER Born in 1743, Antoine Laurent Lavoisier was a central figure in the chemical revolution of the 18th century and would eventually become known as the father of modern chemistry. He developed theories around the chemical reactivity of oxygen and was a coauthor for the present system of naming chemical substances. As a young man of 26, he was elected to the French Academy of Sciences and was a leading public figure and administrator for the Monarch. He had a share of the "General Farm" under the Monarch, an enterprise that helped finance the government and shared in the taxes collected for the government; it was for this participation he was executed in 1794 during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror along with his father-in-law and 26 other General Farm members. AIMÉ-JULES DALOU...

The present model is a reduction of Dalou's "Monument to Antoine Laurent Lavoisier" executed for the Grand Amphitheater of the New Sorbonne in Paris where he remains situated directly opposing the stage in a domed niche. He received the commission in 1886 for the roughly three meter high stone figure and exhibited a model for it at the Salon de la Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts of 1890 as no. 1256. Dalou received permission in 1892 to offer reductions of the model and contracted with Susse Freres to cast his figures, revising it into four models with slight differences. The present model is an exact reduction of his commission while the others have variations to the base, the positioning of the books and the posture of the figure. One of these versions he exhibited at the Salon de la Société Nationale of 1901 as no. 32. One of his variations, known as reduction no. 1 of the same dimensions as the present model was offered at Christies (Sale 1365, 23 April 2004, lot 138) for an achieved sale price of $ 9560 USD. The present model was cast by the house of Susse, probably just shortly after Dalou's death in 1902. It is a technically exceptional model cast in the lost-wax method with great attention to detail shown in every aspect of the finishing, notable is the crispness of the model where every detail was carefully brought out by the foundry. It is finished in a complex golden brown artistic patination. ANTOINE LAURENT LAVOISIER Born in 1743, Antoine Laurent Lavoisier was a central figure in the chemical revolution of the 18th century and would eventually become known as the father of modern chemistry. He developed theories around the chemical reactivity of oxygen and was a coauthor for the present system of naming chemical substances. As a young man of 26, he was elected to the French Academy of Sciences and was a leading public figure and administrator for the Monarch. He had a share of the "General Farm" under the Monarch, an enterprise that helped finance the government and shared in the taxes collected for the government; it was for this participation he was executed in 1794 during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror along with his father-in-law and 26 other General Farm members. Aimé-Jules Dalou...

A beautiful, ornate bronze piece modeled after an original work by French sculptor Aimé-Jules Dalou. Signature and foundry stamp in work. Approximate...