19th Century Sculptures
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Period: 19th Century
Creator: Ferdinand Barbedienne
Large Grand Tour Sculpture Bronze Greco-Roman Uffizi Wrestlers Barbedienne
Located in Rochester, NY
Grand Tour circa 1860s bronze of the Wrestlers. Rich fine dark brown patina. Marked "F. Barbedienne Fondeur." The Wrestlers also known as The Two Wrestlers, The Uffizi Wrestlers or The Pancrastinae...
Category
Italian Grand Tour Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Antoine Louis Barye, Panther of India on Inkwell, Ferdinand Barbedienne Edition
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful "Panther of India" sculpture by Antoine Louis Barye mounted atop a green and white veined marble inkwell, Ferdinand Barbedienne edition, France circa 1900. Signed by the ar...
Category
French Romantic Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze
Ferdinand Barbedienne " Diana" Sculpture, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
"Diane de Gabies"
French sculpture, late 19th century.
Patinated bronze with "Ferdinand Barbedienne" foundry marks.
Height: 51 cm.
Very good condition.
Category
French Baroque Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger, French Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ, Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional French patinated realistic miniature bronze bust of Jesus Christ, 1858
Signed: J CLESINGER. 1858 and F. BARBEDIENNE FONDEUR, wi...
Category
French Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
‘Gloria Victis’, A Patinated Bronze Figural Group by Mercié, Cast by Barbedienne
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Patinated Bronze Figural Group of ‘Gloria Victis’ (‘Glory to the Vanquished’), Cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne from the Model by Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié (French, 1845-1916).
‘Gloria Victis’ (‘Glory to the Vanquished’).
Bronze, gilt and dark brown patina.
Signed 'A. Mercié', with foundry inscription 'F. BARBEDIENNE, Fondeur. Paris.' and A. Collas reduction cachet. The integral base titled 'GLORIA VICTIS'.
This cast is part of a limited edition by the Barbedienne Foundry.
France. Circa 1880.
‘Gloria Victis’ is one of the most recognisable and important works of sculpture of the nineteenth century and a definitive image of France’s historic national identity. The figure of glory, winged and wearing armour, carries a dying young warrior heavenwards towards fame and immortality. The compositional daring of the group must be admired for balancing two figures on the minimal support of one foot, wings spread in the moment before taking flight.
Mercié was a student at the French Academy of Rome when the Prussians invaded France in 1870. Shortly after the war had begun, he executed a group depicting the figure of Fame supporting a victorious soldier. When news reached Mercié in Rome that the French had surrendered, he decided to alter his group, replacing the victorious soldier with a defeated casualty, thus transforming an allegory of ‘Glory to the Victors’ into one of ‘Glory to the Vanquished’. Completed in 1872, a year after the defeat of French soldiers against the Prussian army, the statue personifies a defeated but heroic France. The title is also a reversal of the famous formula, ‘Vae Victis’ (Death to the Vanquished), which the Gallic general Brennus exclaimed upon defeating the Romans in 390 BC. The figure of the fallen soldier was thought to represent Henri Regnault, a fellow sculptor of Mercié who was killed on the last day of fighting.
Measuring 317 cm. high the original group of ‘Gloria Victis’ was unveiled in plaster at the Salon of 1872. It was bought by the City of Paris for the sum of twelve thousand francs and then cast in bronze by Victor Thiébaut for eight thousand five hundred francs. The bronze was exhibited at the Salon in 1875 and first placed in Montholon Square in the 8th arrondissement. In 1884 it was transferred to the courtyard of the Hôtel de Ville and in 1930, it entered the collection of the Musée du Petit Palais, where it can be seen to this day.
The Thiébaut Frères foundry also cast Gloria Victis bronzes for the cities of Niort (requested 1881) Bordeaux (requested 1883), Châlons-sur-Marne (today, Châlons-en-Champagne; requested 1890), and Cholet (requested 1901). In 1905, the Danish brewer and art collector Carl Jacobsen was permitted to have an exact cast made of the original sculpture in Paris, on condition that the base was made 2 cm lower and bore the inscription “Original tilhører Paris By” (The original belongs to the City of Paris). It too was cast by the Thiébaut Frères foundry. Gloria Victis was one of Jacobsen’s most important and his last acquisition. Today it has been returned to its original position in the Winter Garden at Glyptoteket, Copenhagen, Denmark.
The full-size plaster was shown again at the Paris Expositon universelle of 1878 alongside a bronze reduction by Barbedienne. By this time Antonin Mercié had entered into a commercial edition contract with the Ferdinand Babedienne foundry to produce bronze reductions of Gloria Victis, his most famous work. Gloria Victis is first recorded to have been produced in three sizes and by 1886 Barbedienne’s ‘Catalogue des Bronzes D’Art’ lists six sizes measuring 3/5, 9/20, 7/20, 3/10, 6/25 and 2/10, of the original. These reductions were produced by an invention of Barbedienne’s business partner Achille Collas. The Collas reducing machine was a type of complex mechanical pantograph lathe that enabled sculpture to be mathematically measured and transcribed to scale, in the round, thus making a reduced size plaster from which a bronze could be cast.
Mercié's modern sculpture had become an instant classic, even receiving an entry in the Nouveau Larousse Illustré. The success of the group undoubtedly lay in the fact that it was admired not just on an aesthetic level, but also on a patriotic level, particularly in its commemoration of heroism in defeat. Immediately ‘Gloria Victis’ was recognised as a national artwork, capable of arousing patriotism and casts were ordered from Barbedienne as local memorials commemorating the war’s dead for cities across France. ‘Gloria Victis’ was considered so much a part of France’s national identity that for the 1900 Paris Exhibition, Ferdinand Barbedienne’s nephew Gustave Leblanc, loaned a bronze example to feature as part of l’Exposition centennale de l’art français.
Literature:
For an interesting account of the process of creating a reduction in bronze of the Gloria Victis by Barbedienne and illustrations of the casting and finishing of the bronze see:
'Ferdinand Barbedienne': Theodore Child; Harper's new monthly magazine, Volume 73, Issue 436, September 1886.
‘Contemporary French Sculptors’: The Century, Volume 33, Issue 3, Jan 1887.
‘Modern French Sculpture’: Harper's new monthly magazine, Volume 76, Issue 452,
January 1888.
S, Lami, ‘Dictionnaire des sculpteurs de l'Ecole française au dix-neuvième siècle’, Tome III. G.-M., Paris, 1914, p. 432.
Peter Fusco and H.W. Janson, The Romantics to Rodin: French Nineteenth Century Sculpture from North...
Category
French Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger, French Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ, Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional French patinated realistic bronze bust of Jesus Christ, circa 1858
Signed: J CLESINGER. & F. BARBEDIENNE FONDEUR, with the Reduction Me...
Category
French Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Antoine Louis Barye, Bronze Model of 'Elephant De Senegal'
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
Antoine-Louis Barye (French, 1795-1875).
‘Éléphant du Sénégal’ (‘Senegalese Elephant’).
Patinated bronze.
Cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne, Paris, from the model by Antoine-Louis B...
Category
French Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger, French Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ, Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional French patinated realistic miniature bronze bust of Jesus Christ, 1858
Signed: J CLESINGER. 1858 and F. BARBEDIENNE FONDEUR, wi...
Category
French Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
French Marble and Bronze Inkwell Signed Ferdinand Barbedienne, Paris, circa 1870
Located in Milan, IT
A Verona red marble remarkable inkwell, pure Empire style representing a gilded bronze of the bust of Antinous as Dioniso. Empire style, Generous size, excellent state of preservatio...
Category
French Empire Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large French Patinated Bronze Sculpture of David by Mercié and Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Large French patinated bronze sculpture of David by Mercié and Barbedienne
French, circa 1878
Measures: Height 77cm, width 36cm, depth 27cm...
Category
French Renaissance Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Exceptional 19th Century Bronze Entitled ““Quand Meme” by Mercié and Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
A Large and Exceptional Late 19th Century Patinated Bronze Figural Group Entitled “Quand Meme” by Mercié and Barbedienne on Pedestal
Marius-Jean-Antonin Me...
Category
French Belle Époque Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Patinated Bronze Statue Signed P. Dubois And F. Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century patinated bronze statue signed P. Dubois and F. Barbedienne. The statue entitled Le Courage Militaire, is raise...
Category
French Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Patinated Bronze Statue of Laocoön and His Sons
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive and high quality French 19th century patinated bronze statue of Laocoön and his sons, signed Barbedienne. The bronze is raised b...
Category
French Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Bronze Statue of Venus, Signed Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A classical and most elegant French 19th century patinated bronze statue of kneeling Venus, signed F. Barbedienne Fondeur and stamped "Reduction Mecaniq...
Category
French Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XVI Bronze Statue of the 'Allegorie de L'Histoire'
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful French 19th century Louis XVI st. patinated bronze and ormolu statue of the 'Allégorie de l'Histoire' by Georges Bareau and F. Barbedienne. This "Symbol of History" statu...
Category
French Louis XVI Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Italian 19th Century Bronze Statue of Apollo, Signed F. Barbedienne Fondeur
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high-quality Italian 19th century patinated bronze statue of Apollo, signed F. Barbedienne, Fondeur. The statue is raised by a circular base with a finely detailed tre...
Category
Italian Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Set of Four Spelter Plaques by Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Set of four spelter plaques by Ferdinand Barbedienne
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 45cm, width 12cm, depth 0.5 cm
This set of four pla...
Category
French Neoclassical Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Spelter
Four Antique Bronze Plaques Depicting Water-Nymphs, by Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Four antique bronze plaques depicting water-nymphs, by Ferdinand Barbedienne
French, 19th century.
Measures: Height 47cm, width 12cm, depth 2.5cm
Finely cast in relief from patinated bronze with parcel gilt patina, these French 19th Century panels each depict a Classical female water-nymph. The relief structure and design is after four panels from the important marble fountain from the Renaissance period in Paris called the Fontaine des Innocents. This was created by the French sculptor Jean Goujon...
Category
French Renaissance Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Ormolu, Bronze, and Marble Statue on Original Pedestal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning museum quality French 19th century ormolu, patinated bronze, Rouge Griotte, Coquillier de Bilbao, and Sarrancolin marble statue and original pedestal named "Gloria Victus...
Category
French Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Mid-19th Century Louis XVI Style Patinated Bronze Statue
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and large scale French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. patinated bronze statue of Diana the Huntress, signed by Barbedienne. Diana dressed in classical attire and is rea...
Category
French Louis XVI Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Ferdinand Barbedienne Bronze Sculpture of Diana of Gabii
Located in Kastrup, DK
Ferdinand Barbedienne 1810-1892.
A brown patinated bronze statuette after the antique of "Diana of Gabii"
Signed F. Barbedienne. Barbedienne foundry m...
Category
French Neoclassical Revival Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Egyptian Revival St. Bronze and Ormolu Bust
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century Egyptian Revival st. Belle Époque period patinated bronze and ormolu bust, signed by F. Barbedienne. The wonderful bust is raised by an elegant cir...
Category
French Egyptian Revival Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Diana by Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Antique Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Diana by Ferdinand Barbedienne
French, late 19th Century
Dimensions: Height 60cm, width 22cm, depth 22cm
This...
Category
French Neoclassical Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Bronze Figure of the Borghese Gladiator
Located in London, GB
A French bronze figure of the Borghese Gladiator, mid-19th century, cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne, after the antique.
Base dimensions: 34.5cm...
Category
French Classical Roman Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
"Florentine Singer" Bronze Sculpture by P. Dubois and F. Barbedienne, Circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
Signed P. Dubois 1865 and F. Barbedienne fondeur
Stamped with réduction mécanique Collas
A patinated bronze « Florentine Singer » sculpture, inspir...
Category
French Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Ferdinand Barbedienne Bronze Boy & Goose Sculpture 19th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A finely patinated French antique bronze by Ferdinand Barbedienne portraying a a young boy caressing a large goose. The figure is mounted on an angled and shaped base and is signed '...
Category
French Napoleon III Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Antique Bronze Statue of Arlequin by René de Saint-Marceaux
Located in London, GB
A bronze Statuette of Arlequin
by Charles-René de Paul de Saint-Marceaux
Cast by Barbedienne. The mischievous Harlequin, arms crossed in contemplation, wearing a grin and a mask, tr...
Category
French Belle Époque Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
'The Soldier of Marathon' Bronze after a Model by Cortot Cast by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Jean Pierre Cortot
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
'The Soldier of Marathon' - A large patinated bronze group after a model by Jean-Pierre Cortot, Cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne.
Jean-Pierre Cort...
Category
French Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Patinated Bronze Sculpture by Denys-Pierre Puech, Signed 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Denys-pierre Puech
French, 1854-1942
La Sirene
Signed ‘D.PUECH’; inscribed F. BARBEDIENNE, Fondeur
Patinated Bronze circa 19th century
Foundry Cast: Ferdinand Barbedienne
37 1/2 in. x 27 in. x 16 in
Notes: Puech conceived the idea for ‘La Sirene’ during his stay at the Villa Medici when he fell passionately in love with the celebrated opera singer Emma Calvé, who was then performing in Rome. Peuch wrote, "it is to her that I owe the inspiration for the group." The sculpture shows a winged chimeric siren with a tail of a fish abducting a Ephebus. Puech noted the rarity of the scene of a woman abducting a man, rather than the more common depiction of a man carrying away a female victim. Peuch says, “I had the presentiment that, with the Siren's rape of the Ephebus, I could express the force of passion, which reached towards the unknown, which, itself, might be fidelity or the fall..." In Greek mythology the sirens seduced sailors with their singing only to lead them to their death in the sea.
Literature: Denys Puech...
Category
French Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Patinated Bronze Sculpture of a Dancer Zingara by F. Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
A finely casted patinated bronze sculpture of a dancer Zingara after a model by Jean-Baptiste Clésinger by F. Barbedienne foundry. Modeled dancing with a tambourine, inscribed F. BAR...
Category
French Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Antique Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Sevin and Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
This ormolu clock is an exemplary work by the famous French 19th century metalworker and foundry-owner, Ferdiand Barbedienne. Working with a design made by the acclaimed onamentalist, Louis-Constant...
Category
French Neoclassical Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
'La Jeunesse' 19th Century bronze sculpture by Chapu and Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
This fine and exceptionally cast patinated bronze sculpture is the work of two masters of the decorative arts, Henri Chapu (French, 1833-1891) and Ferdinand Barbedienne (French, 1810-1892). Chapu was responsible for the design of the sculpture which is titled 'La Jeunesse' and depicts a young girl swathed in Classical style clothing reaching up to place a laurel branch on top of a wall.
The original work was crafted in white marble as part of a monument to Henri Regnault...
Category
French Neoclassical Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Classical Style Bronze Sculpture of Penelope by Cavelier and Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
This large patinated bronze antique sculpture depicts the Classical figure Penelope, the wife of Odysseus (Roman name Ulysses) who appears in ...
Category
French Neoclassical Revival Antique 19th Century Sculptures
Materials
Bronze