“Study of a woman for “The Republic” by Aimé-Jules Dalou

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Study of a woman for “The Republic”

Aimé-Jules Dalou (1838-1902)

Bronze with a black patina

Height: 20⅛ inches (51cm)

Collection: Robert Bowman

Signed “DALOU.” Stamped “AA Hébrard Cire Perdue and inscribed M”

See below for commentary and additional photographs

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In 1879 an open competition was announced in Paris for submissions to design a monument celebrating the 3rd Republic. Dalou sent his proposal from England for a statue entitled the Triumph of the Republic and although it did not fit the criteria of the designated site, Place de la Republique, his design was commissioned by the state for Place de la Nation. Dalou returned to his home city in 1880 and the monument was unveiled in plaster in 1889. The bronze was cast ten years later and remains one of the best known public works of art in Paris.

The present model is an early study for the figure that stands on top of the monument. This particularly fine cast is stamped M, denoting that this was the first cast, from which all subsequent casts were made.

Bibliography

Aimé-Jules Dalou (1897-1902). Online exhibition catalogue. London: Bowman Sculpture, 2014. Web. 29 November 2014.

Last modified 29 November 2014