Bronze Allegory By Paul Moreau-vauthier, 1908

Paul Moreau-Vauthier (1871-1936) Allegory by the French artist Paul Moreau-Vauthier bearing the inscription "Man straddling his flying machine escapes the Earth's attraction." Signed and titled on the base, it bears the stamp and signature of Susse Frères, foundrymen in Paris. This symbolic representation evokes the struggle between Earth's gravity, represented by a woman, and humanity's aspiration to rise to the heavens. The artist invites reflection on the duality between earthly desires and the call of the unknown, between fascination and the desire for transcendence and new horizons. This piece won second prize in the Michelin Cup for Aviation in 1908 and became the Michelin Aero-Target trophy in 1912. Paul Moreau-Vauthier, a veteran of Verdun, designed numerous works related to the First World War, including the Vauthier boundary markers which were erected between 1921 and 1927 to depict the front line as it was on July 18, 1918. Information and other photos available upon request.