Joseph Le Guluche (1849-1915), Sculpture "the Blacksmith At Rest", 20th

Polychrome terracotta sculpture, entitled "the hour of rest", representing a blacksmith sitting on his anvil, the pipe between his fingers, the forging hammer resting on the anvil...signed and publisher's stamp "Fontaine et Durieux – Paris”, and numbered 377. Very realistic subject and very good quality, very early 20th century. Joseph Le Guluche born in Plourivo (Côtes-d'Armor) on September 20, 1849 and died in Villejuif on January 24, 1915 is a French sculptor. He mainly produced popular subjects for the decorative terracotta factories of Villenauxe-la-Grande (Aube) and L'Isle-Adam (Val-d'Oise). Biography Son of a sailor and a stringer, Joseph Marie Le Guluche was born on September 20, 1849 in Plourivo (Côtes-du-Nord)1. In 1851, his family settled in Le Havre; this is probably where it is formed on the heap2,3. In 1879, he lived in L'Isle-Adam, near the decorative terracotta factory of Mauger and Letut 3. Joseph Le Guluche's collaboration with the Mauger families and particularly with Alphonse Hanne marks the golden age of these factories. Polymorphous, his work is divided into several main categories: seaside subjects, rural subjects, feminine allegories of Art Nouveau inspiration, orientalist subjects. Some sculptures escape this classification, mythological subjects like Leda and the swan, or historical ones like Boer Warrior. Made in stamped terracotta, polychrome or not, these works measure from 20 cm to 1 meter. Intended for a popular audience, Joseph Le Guluche's characters are emblematic of the phenomenon of published sculpture relating to the kitsch aesthetic in full development at the end of the 19th century. A set of his works are kept in L'Isle-Adam at the Louis-Senlecq Museum of Art and History3. He died in Villejuif at 1, rue d'Amont, on January 24, 1915 and then lived at 21, passage du Poteau in Paris4.