René De Saint Marceaux (1845-1945) - "the Harlequin"

Bronze proof with strongly nuanced brown patina Based on the original plaster 1.74 m high Reduction no. 3 to 2/5 by A. Colas (stamp on the terrace on the right) Sand cast from the Barbedienne foundry – Marked “Barbedienne Fondeur Paris” in cursive letters on the rear plinth of the terrace and numbered 820 Signed “St Marceaux” and dated 1879 Around 1880/1890 Dimensions Height: 69 cm Width: 26 cm – Depth: 28 cm Galerie Paris Manaus Biography: René by SAINT MARCEAUX (1845-1915) Sculptor, medalist born in Reims on September 23, 1845, died in Paris on April 23, 1915. In 1863, he entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and took classes with the sculptor François JOUFFROY . He began exhibiting at the Salon in 1868. Between 1870 and 1871, he returned to Reims during the Prussian occupation. He will stay between 1872 and 1873 in Florence in Italy. Upon his return, he participated in numerous salons, member of the Society of French Artists in 1885, Gold Medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1889, Officer of the Legion of Honor. In 1892, René Sant Marceaux married Margueritte Jourdain (1850-1930), widow and rich heiress of the painter Eugène Baugnies. Her music salon at 100 bd Malesherbes in Paris rivals that of the Princesse de Polignac. It was also during this period that he left the Society of French Artists for the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. René de Saint-Marceaux is a representative figure of these numerous artists of the Third Republic, exhibiting at the Salons and multiplying competitions and honors. His practitioner was François Pompon (1855-1933) from 1895 to 1914. He suffered all his life from painful rheumatism and he was forced to take to his bed during his attacks. François Pompon then replaced his master who had become, with the time spent alongside each other, his friend. From very different backgrounds, the two men respected each other and shared the same passion for their profession: sculpture. Among the most famous works of this artist are “Le Gisant de l’abbé Miroy”, “L’Arlequin”, “Monument to Alexandre Dumas”, etc. Commander of the Legion of Honor in 1913. He died in Paris on April 23, 1915 and was buried in Cuy Saint Fiacre (76)