Jules Dalou (1838–1902) — "paver And The Young Lady"

Total height:
16 cm

Bibliography: Model listed under no. 175, page 242, in Amélie Simier’s book—“Jules Dalou, Sculptor of the Republic ”

Galerie Paris-Manaus

Biography:
Jules DALOU

“The Sculptor of the Republic”

After a modest childhood in Paris, Dalou began his career during the Second Empire. Napoleon III reigned over France, and under his direction, Baron Haussmann transformed the capital. Paris became a massive construction site, and the young Dalou learned his craft by creating decorative sculptures.

But his career was quickly interrupted by the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and the Paris Commune, in which Dalou took part. Forced into exile, the sculptor settled in London, where he enjoyed great success among English art lovers. During this period, he produced more intimate works.

He returned to France in 1879, following the amnesty granted to the Communards.
The City of Paris then commissioned his most famous work, the "Triumph of the Republic", with its revolutionary aesthetic. This masterpiece now stands at the center of Place de la Nation (Paris).

"The Triumph of the Republic" was the first in a long series of public monuments designed by Dalou for the capital. This highly productive period saw the erection of numerous monuments.Furthermore, like all sculptors of his time, he created busts and decorative works for private clients that were highly prized.

He devoted the end of his life to a project close to his heart: the "Monument to the Workers", a monument intended to celebrate labor and the condition of the working class.
This project was never completed, but what remains of it is a complete series of figurines—currently housed at the Petit Palais in Paris—depicting “workers in the fields and cities,” all sculpted with a commitment to truth and realism.