Large 19th Century Bronze, 80 Cm, Jef Lambeaux, G. Courbet Museum, The Wrestlers

Following our collaboration with the Museums, this monumental bronze is loaned to the Gustave COURBET Museum, Besançon – Ornans, for the exhibition “Les Colosses” which takes place during the Olympic Games, from June 1 to October 13, 2024.

However, this bronze remains for sale, it is visible during this period at the Gustave Courbet Museum, and we remain at your disposal to provide you with more information and photos...
Period: 19th century
Signed: signed in the bronze, artist referenced and side, Exceptional bronze in lost wax and brown patina,
Bronze in perfect condition
History: Museum work,
Subject: The wrestlers Dimensions: Width 80 cm – Height 70 cm – depth: 45 cm – weight: approximately 50 Kg

Biography:
Joseph Marie Thomas LAMBEAUX VAN ANTWERPEN said Jef LAMBEAUX 1852 / 1908 Jef Joseph Marie Thomas Lambeaux, born January 14, 1852 in Antwerp and died June 5, 1908 in Brussels, is a Belgian sculptor.
He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. He is the brother of Jules Lambeaux. In 1883, Jef Lambeaux was one of the founding members of the Brussels avant-garde group Les Vingt. Student of Joseph Geefs then of the Antwerp Academy. His workshop was located rue de Savoie (destroyed in 1898), then at no. 104 rue Antoine Bréart (destroyed in 1977) in Saint-Gilles (Brussels). He obtained a medal for his debut in 1881 and a gold medal at the Brussels exhibition. He notably created Le Faune bitu shown at the Universal Exhibitions in Brussels (1897) and Paris (1900) but which was the center of a controversy over nudes at the 1905 Universal Exhibition in Liège where this work was covered with a veil. He was considered one of the apostles of realistic sculpture among the Belgian artists of the 19th century with his creations resulting from his tormented genius.
A great circus fan, a man of the people, Jef Lambeaux will never lose his childhood wonder at the spectacle of the wrestlers, boxers and other bodybuilders who once exhibited in the squares.
Sander Pierron reports: "In winter, you will meet Lambeaux every evening at the circus. In summer, in the months of July and August, you will be sure to find him in the front row of spectators in the athletic arenas of the fair on Boulevard du Noon." This is where Lambeaux drew inspiration for his powerful sculpted groups which express the effort, pain and emotions of combat. Jef Lambeaux could only be seduced by the muscular phenomenon Eugen Sandow.
Another major work: Human Passions (1886), a marble bas-relief which was integrated into Victor Horta's pavilion in the Parc du Cinquantenaire, for which he received a medal of honor at the Universal Exhibition in 1900 in Paris. He was named a member of the Royal Academy of Belgium in 1903. Since 1899, the relief of Human Passions has been the subject of praise and criticism. He was appointed Officer of the Order of Leopold and the Order of Bavaria.
Source Bénézit, Source Dictionary of Sculptors – 19th Century Bronzes

Museums:
Many museums have works by this sculptor. Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium – The Wrestling bronze group 240 x 167 x 130 cm Ixelles Museum: Wrestlers (or the Olympians) dated 1895 Antwerp Museum: The wrestlers, etc. Ghent Museum, etc.

Sold with Invoice and Certificate and history.

Bronze visible at the Gustave COURBET Museum, Besançon – Ornans, during the exhibition “Les Colosses” which takes place during the Olympic Games, from June 1 to October 13, 2024.

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