Saint George - Emmanuel Fremiet 1824-1910 Frémiet

Dimensions Height: approx. 55 cm from the base of the terrace to the top of the lance (without the marble base) Total height: approx. 60 cm including marble Ø of the marble base: 26 cm Ø of the terrace: 22 cm Signature Signed on the motif, in front of the dragon. Signature of the founder on the edge of the terrace: Barbedienne Material Bronze proof with golden patina, resting on an ovoid marble base. Composed of 11 pieces, the bronze is in excellent condition, and complete with the exception of the halo of Saint George. Old traces of repair of the marble base, invisible on top, are barely visible below.

Emmanuel FREMIET was 67 years old when he carved, in small format, his Saint George. He is at the top of his art, a member of the French Artists, he has even exhibited outside of competition for a long time. With this Saint George, he pursues a theme that is close to his heart, that of a perfect Chivalry, historical as well as legendary, full of the mysterious symbolism of the Round Table, where the Knight and the Saint are One. He thus sculpted Louis of Orléans (1870), his various Joan of Arc (1874 for the first model of his equestrian statue; 1875 for Joan of Arc on her knees and Joan of Arc in Orléans), Saint Michael (1875 ), the Knight Errant (1878), his Creed (1885), Saint George (1891). Duguesclin, which he modeled in 1902, is the last of his works to be part of this line of great ideal knights. He presented his statuette, small in size, under the number 2522, at the 109th Salon of French Artists, which was held at the Palais des Champs-Elysées, in May 1891. The State acquired it from the end of the Show, and offers the sum of 2,000 francs. Which makes Emmanuel Fremiet react, whose integrity no longer needs to be demonstrated. His sculpture not being a unique event since he has already sold four, he estimates the price at 800 francs. The deal was concluded and Saint George joined the windows of the Luxembourg Museum on August 7, 1891. For the Universal Exhibition of 1900, the THIÉBAUD house was looking for a large bronze to represent its house. She asked Emmanuel Fremiet to cast her equestrian Joan of Arc in order to exhibit it. After reflection, the sculptor proposed Saint George, which gave him the opportunity to create it in monumental format. Acquired on July 22, 1901 by the city of Paris for 22,000 francs (neither the founder Thiébaut nor Emmanuel Fremiet made a profit) the group was placed in the Petit Palais. In 1958, it was placed in the Jardin Saint-Georges on avenue Victor Hugo, in Barentin (Seine-Maritime) where it can still be admired.
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