Bronze - Félix Charpentier / 1858–1924 "la Chanson"

Bronze sculpture with a brown patina"La Chanson" by Félix Charpentier (1858–1924)
Largebronze sculpture with a brown patina.
Signed "Fx.Charpentier"

About: In 1890, Charpentier presented two major works at the Salondes Artistes Français, including “La Chanson,” which won the Salon’sprize. The plaster cast purchased by the French government was placed in the vestibule ofParis City Hall.
In 1899, the bronze reduction was exhibited inthe showrooms of Colin, his dealer since 1897.

Biography: MauriceFélix Charpentier (1858–1924), known as Félix Charpentier, was a Frenchsculptor. Initially a student at the École des Beaux-Arts in Avignon, Félix Charpentierwas admitted to the studios of Jules Cavelier and Amédée Doublemard at theÉcole des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1877.
Beginning in 1879, he presented his works at theSalon des Artistes Français, where he exhibited every year. After winning a silver medal at the 1889 World’s Fair, hisfame continued to grow. That same year, Charpentier exhibited theplaster cast of “La Chanson” at the Salon, and in 1890, he received the first-classand the Salon Prize for his marble sculpture based on that work.In 1893, Charpentierreceived the Medal of Honor for the marble sculpture “Lutteurs,” acquiredby the French government and adorning the forecourt of the town hall in Bollène, hishometown. From that point on, the French government commissioned him to create severalpublic monuments, including the decoration of the Gare de Lyon in Paris,or the bas-relief “Contemporary Art” for the façade of the Grand Palaisin Paris. Appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1892, followingthe inauguration of the monument commemorating the centennial of the annexation of Avignon and theComtat Venaissin to France, Charpentier was promoted to Officer of the Legionof Honor in 1901.
In 1899, Austriaawarded Félix Charpentier the gold medal at the Vienna Internationalin Vienna for *Le Globe dormant*. He is the creator ofnumerous statues housed in several national museums, including *L’Étoilefilante* (Nîmes Museum of Fine Arts). Charpentier’s works also adornmany public gardens. After World War I, hereceived numerous commissions for war memorials.