By Vivienne Milburn
An impressive price of £10,400 was achieved for a bronze of a defeated French warrior being lifted up on the wings of a female allegorical image of Fame.
She carries to glory the dying hero, his broken sword a sign of defeat.
Labelled Gloria Victis – meaning “glory to the vanquished” – this is a sculpture by Antonin Mercié (1845-1916). Recently discovered, this large bronze has an interesting story.
Mercié designed this sculpture following France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). He intended to honour those French soldiers who had fallen in the conflict, especially his friend, the artist Henri Regnault (1843–1871). Upon France’s defeat, Mercié changed the hero’s head from lifted to fallen.
Mercié’s original plaster sculpture won a medal at the 1874 Paris Salon. There are many bronze copies cast in different sizes by the great foundry of Ferdinand Barbedienne and this bronze is very clearly marked with the foundry stamp.
The bronze was not without controversy. According to the University of Clermont-Ferrand, the sculpture’s message was “that those defeated were nevertheless cared for and granted immortality”.
According to Barton T. Thurber, this work was well received among the French public, who felt humiliated after losing the war. However, despite its acclaim, the work was harshly criticized by fellow French sculptor Jean Baffier for its neoclassical style and for its celebration of a defeat: “We have been beaten like wheat in a barn, and we shouted: ‘Glory to the losers’ – And along comes some sort of bastard artist, the pupil of a sexless school, to put up the image of our cowardice.”
A bit harsh!
However, the bronze was greatly admired for its quality, style and scale at the recent specialist auction and made a good price of £10,400.
If you require a valuation on your antiques and collectables, it is worth getting the advice of an Independent Antiques Valuer to assess your works of art. For information, please contact Vivienne Milburn on Mobile 07870 238788 or 01629 640210. www.viviennemilburn.co.uk email – vivienne@viviennemilburn.co.uk