Terracotta Attributed To Jean Debay

Terracotta representing an allegory of maritime trade. Similar to the model made for the decoration of the glass roof of the Galerie Santeuil in the Passage de la Pommeraye in Nantes. This sculpture is attributed, as for those of the Passage de la Pommeraye, to Jean Baptiste Joseph DEBAY (1802 - 1862) Parisian sculptor. The Galerie de Santeuil is probably inspired by the Galerie Vivienne in Paris. Jean DEBAY designs in terracotta the statues of the 2nd and 3rd levels, allegories which surround the staircase, representing trade, industry, agriculture, the spectacle, science and maritime trade (including the example of our model). Guillaume GROOTAERS will make the medallions on the celebrities of the region and the decorative painter Achille LEGIER will be in charge of the decoration.