Sculpture - Maternity , Paul Dubois (1829-1905) - Bronze

Important bronze group , with brown patina , representing an allegory of "Motherhood" , by the sculptor Paul Dubois (1829-1905) .
An intimate and delicate work , which evokes the sweetness of maternal bonds , of infinite and unconditional love .
We observe a circularity of gestures and looks , which find their centrality in the figure of the mother , while the infant is suckling , and the young child is peacefully asleep , the mother looks gently at her toddlers , whom she holds against her , in a tender and protective gesture .
This allegory presents the gesture of breastfeeding as an expression of generosity and devotion .
The realistic style and the perfect finesse of execution are characteristic of the works of Paul Dubois .
A touching scene of maternity which brings us back to the fundamental values of the family , and more precisely of maternal love .
Bronze signed "P.DUBOIS" in hollow , on the back of the sculpture .
Signature of the founder "F.BARBEDIENNE.Fondeur.Paris", on the side of the terrace .
Circular stamp "Achille Collas", affixed from 1848 on the bronzes published by Ferdinand Barbedienne .
Sculpture of old edition , period second part of the 19th century .
Perfect state of conservation and patina .

Dimensions : 65 cm x 21 cm x 30 cm

Paul Dubois (1829 - 1905)

Paul Dubois is a famous French sculptor and painter , born on July 18 , 1829 in Nogent-sur-Seine .
Paul Dubois is the son of François Antoine Dubois (1798-1868) , royal notary , Mayor of Nogent-sur-Seine and General Councilor of Aube , and the great-nephew of the sculptor Jean-Baptiste Pigalle .

After studying law , he was admitted to the School of Fine - Arts in Paris in the workshop of Armand Toussaint .
He went to train in Rome and Florence for four years , where he was influenced by the Art of the Italian Renaissance .
He debuted at the Salon of 1860 , he obtained a medal for his first two statues , "Saint John the Baptist" and "Narcissus in the bath" , in 1863 .

Deeply influenced by Italy and the Art of the Renaissance , he became a leader of the so-called "Florentine" sculptors , emulators of their predecessors of the "Quattrocento" .
Back in Paris , marked by his stay in Italy , Paul Dubois attracted great success from the start with his refined works , inspired by the Italian Renaissance .
It was in this vein that he modeled the "Florentine Singer", and with it obtained the "Medal of Honor" from the Salon of 1865 .
In 1865 and 1876 , Paul Dubois obtained a Medal of Honor at the Salon of Fine Arts .
He was elected a member of the Academy of Fine Arts in 1876 .

In 1873 , Paul Dubois was appointed Curator of the Luxembourg Museum .
In 1878 , he succeeded Eugène Guillaume as director of the school of Fine-Arts in Paris , where his students included "Fabio Stecchi" and "Camille Claudel" until she met Auguste Rodin in 1884 .
His Monument to "Joan of Arc", inaugurated on the Parvis of Reims Cathedral in 1896 , also contributed to his fame and earned him a promotion to Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor by the President of the Republic , Felix Faure .

Paul Dubois died on May 23 , 1905 in Paris .
He is buried in the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery (9th division) .
His funeral monument is decorated of a bronze statue by the sculptor representing his mother , Claudine Sophie .