Henri Vidal (1864-1918), The Fountain

Bronze with a double patina, brown and gold, signed "H. Vidal."
Cast during the artist's lifetime and stamped by the foundryman Colin in Paris.
Circa 1890

Dimensions
Height 100 cm
Width 50 cm
Depth 36 cm


Sculpture depicting a sleeping child at a fountain, in a gentle and serene posture, capturing both innocence and tranquility. The child, almost naked, is lying down and resting against an ornamental fountain, against a backdrop of stylized vegetation. The scene provides an opportunity for the artist to blend the themes of childhood and nature, while expressing the idea of ​​a peaceful communion between man and nature.

Henri Vidal is one of the most remarkable sculptors of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his bronze works, in which he realistically captures the beauty and vulnerability of the human figure. This sculpture belongs to the French academic tradition, but it also possesses a more intimate and dreamy dimension, characteristic of Art Nouveau and Symbolist tendencies.

Vidal's work is often compared to that of Pierre Jules Cavelier and Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, although Vidal's work is distinguished by a particular fluidity, meticulous attention to body postures, and a lightness of expression.

This sculpture demonstrates great technical sophistication, with a burnished patina and gilded elements that highlight the decorative aspects of the bas-relief while reinforcing the sensuality of the scene.



Biography
Henri Vidal was a French sculptor born in Charenton-le-Pont in 1864 and died in Le Cannet in 1918. A student of the master Mathurin Moreau, he established himself as a leading figure in late 19th-century French sculpture. His most famous work, Cain Killing His Brother Abel (1896), is displayed in the Tuileries Garden in Paris and perfectly illustrates his ability to combine expressive power with exquisite detail. Vidal received numerous awards at the Salon des Artistes Français and a silver medal at the 1900 Universal Exhibition, confirming his place in the art history of his time. His marble and bronze sculptures demonstrate a talent that sensitively captures the beauty and emotion of the human figure, making him an artist ripe for rediscovery by art lovers and collectors.