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Large 38” French Antique Bronze Sculpture of Camille Desmoulins by Dumaige

About the Item

ETIENNE-HENRI DUMAIGE French, 1830-1888 "Camille Desmoulins at the Palais Royal" (1882) Sand-cast patinated bronze signed in base "H. DUMAIGE" conceived in 1882, executed circa 1890 stock ref. C104802 38 1/8" H x 11 7/16" D x 11 5/16" W Essay Exhibited in plaster at the Salon of 1882 (no. 4331), Dumaige's statue of Camille Desmoulins has become well-regarded as one of his most powerful compositions. The original was given by Dumaige to the Musée de Rouen. It captures Desmoulins delivering his powerful and poignant call to arms before the Bastille storming, the drama of the scene almost operatic as he knocks the chair over behind him, grasping the loose pages of his speech in his closed fist while he loses himself in the rhetoric. Camille Desmoulins was a French journalist, lawyer, and revolutionary, recognized for his pivotal role in the French Revolution. Born in Guise, France, he studied law at the Collège Louis-le-Grand in Paris, where he befriended future revolutionary leaders, including Maximilien Robespierre. Desmoulins gained prominence on July 12, 1789, when his impassioned speech at the Palais-Royal incited the storming of the Bastille two days later, marking a critical moment in the Revolution. As a journalist, Desmoulins founded and edited Les Révolutions de France et de Brabant, a radical publication that criticized the monarchy and aristocracy. His writing was instrumental in shaping revolutionary sentiment, blending incisive political critique with populist rhetoric. Despite his early radicalism, Desmoulins later advocated for moderation during the Reign of Terror, aligning himself with the Dantonist faction. This shift ultimately led to his downfall. Arrested alongside Georges Danton in 1794, Desmoulins was accused of counter-revolutionary activities. He was tried, convicted, and executed by guillotine on April 5, 1794. Desmoulins' contributions to revolutionary thought and his tragic fate exemplify the volatility and ideological conflicts of the French Revolution. The present example is a complex sand-cast sculpture in bronze cast after the model by Dumaige and finished in a very dark-brown surface patina. It is signed in the base "H. DUMAIGE" and retains an early gilt plaque on the front with the title referenced. Condition: Carefully cleaned, sealed and polished by our in-house studio. Overall remaining in good original condition with a tiny loss to one of the buttons on his socks, light wear to the patina and minor scuffs/abrasions from the years. A powerful presentation. References: E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, vol. IV, Gründ, 2006, p. 1313-1314 Dictionnaire des Sculpteurs de L'École Française, Vol. II, Stanislas Lami, Kraus, 1916, p. 238-239 About silla antiques & art Established in 2009, we have available in our 9000 square foot brick-and-mortar gallery an ever-changing selection of carefully curated and catalogued furniture, decorative arts, paintings, sculpture and estate jewelry. Our company has long specialized in sculpture circa 1860 through 1930 and as such the gallery always has a very large collection of exceptional European and American sculpture available on display. The gallery is located at 117 W Burd Street in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and is open by appointment only. We welcome your visit and would love to meet with you at the shop. For clients located outside of the area, we are always available to discuss items by video conferencing or by phone.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 38.13 in (96.86 cm)Width: 11.31 in (28.73 cm)Depth: 11.44 in (29.06 cm)
  • Style:
    Romantic (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1890
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Shippensburg, PA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: C1048021stDibs: LU1059043263782

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