Sculpture - Carved Single-piece Wooden Napoleonic Soldier – Folk Art - Soldier, Napoleon

Early 19th century

Massif Central, France

A rare folk sculpture carved from a single piece of wood, depicting an infantry soldier. The figure is shown standing in a solemn pose, wearing a tall shako and holding his rifle resting against his shoulder.

The face, rendered with great simplicity, features deliberately stylized features that give the sculpture a powerful presence. His uniform evokes that of a French infantryman from the Napoleonic era, recognizable by his shako, the sashes crossed over his chest, his rifle, and the carved knapsack on his back. Rendered with the freedom characteristic of folk art, it does not reproduce a specific regulation uniform but draws inspiration from the military silhouettes that left a deep imprint on the rural imagination of the first quarter of the 19th century.

This naïve work, likely created by a craftsman or a former soldier, perfectly illustrates the folk art of the Massif Central. With its monoxyl construction and bold knife-carving technique, it stands as an authentic testament to early 19th-century French folk sculpture.

Beautiful original warm brown patina. Note an old chip on one foot, which does not affect the overall appearance of the work.

Dimensions:

Height: 34.5 cm

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