Quand Meme! Antonin Mercie F. Barbedienne 85 Cm Bronze

An impressive patinated bronze figure titled "QUAND MEME!" by French master Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercie (1845-1916), cast by the world-renowned foundry Ferdinand Barbedienne in shades of green patina. The figurine bears the author's signature, the title, the founder's signature and the dedication. Highest quality, beautiful patriotic theme and awesome sizes. The sculpture presented is a patriotic tribute to Thiers and a celebration of the resistance of the town of Belfort during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the spirit of Belfort and all of France is commemorated in this work by representing a proud woman in Alsatian costume. standing before the enemy. She is not disturbed by the presence of the soldier lying on her body. Without taking his eyes off the enemy, he replaces the soldier, grabs his “Chassepot” model 1866 rifle and prepares for combat. The work was highly appreciated by the French public, and similar inspiration was found in the works of Mercian contemporaries; for example, Louis Ernest Barrias's La Défense de Paris (1883) features a similar composition in its commemoration of the citizens who defended Paris. The plaster model was presented at the Salon of 1882 then the following year at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts. The marble version was exhibited at the Universal Exhibition of 1900, and this example is today part of the permanent collection of the Musée d'Orsay. The bronze version acquired by Belfort was erected on the Place d'Armes, and another copy in bronze cast by Barbedienne is at the Museum of Fine Arts in Valenciennes. Other models include the Pasteur Museum in Paris, the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar, and the National Museum of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Dimensions:
height - 85 cm
width - 40 cm
depth - 32 cm