Bronze Sculpture “olivier The Devil” By Jef Claerhout

Bronze sculpture “Olivier the Devil” by Jef Claerhout
A patinated bronze sculpture depicting a man holding a pair of scissors in one hand, a razor in the other, and a noose around his neck
It depicts the legendary figure from Flemish history and folklore, Olivier de Neckere (c. 1434–1484)
and is a smaller-scale, numbered edition directly inspired by his famous public monument located on the market square in Tielt, in Belgium, which was unveiled on December 7, 1984, to mark the 500th anniversary of Olivier’s execution
Olivier de Neckere was born in Tielt, the son of a local barber. He eventually crossed paths with Louis de Valois (the future King Louis XI of France) and became his close friend, personal barber, and chief royal confidant. Renowned for his incredible cunning and political opportunism, he rose through the ranks of the French court and was officially knighted under the name Olivier le Daim
Upon the death of King Louis XI, his political enemies quickly turned against him; he was arrested and hanged at the infamous Montfaucon gallows in Paris on May 21, 1484
Jef Claerhout (1937–2022) was a renowned Belgian visual artist and sculptor
He was particularly known for his original public sculptures in bronze and brass, characterized by a generous dose of humor, mythology, folklore, and irony
Titled on the front, signed and numbered 43/250 on the back
The base measures 6.5 cm by 6.5 cm and is 12 cm high
The bronze figure is 15 cm wide, 12 cm deep, and 26.5 cm tall
Total height: 38.5 cm
Total weight: 3.1 kg