Gustave DELOYE (1838-1899), La passion

Sculpture in patinated plaster, Original Proof
Signed by the artist on the base
Height 73cm
Bears an Antique Collection label

Jean-Baptiste Gustave Deloye is one of the best representatives of the neo-baroque style that emerged during the Second Empire. In architecture and sculpture, this artistic movement is also known as the “flamboyant Third Republic”, and it was to play an essential role in the reconstruction of the Paris we know today. From the same artistic movement, “L'Immortalité devançant le Temps” is the allegorical, monumental sculpture that adorns the roofs of the Grand Palais, a world-famous group of prancing horses.

In 1984, the Musée d'Orsay placed a monumental sculpture by Gustave Deloye in its central aisle: “Saint Marc”, a 2.05 m high plaster cast, is one of the works with which Gustave Deloye inaugurated the neo-baroque style that would lead to Art Nouveau a few years later.
Born in Sedan in the Ardennes in 1838, Deloye entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris at the age of 19. Four years later, he won a mention in the Prix de Rome competition, and in 1861 was awarded second prize. Between 1865 and 1886, Gustave Deloye took part in the Salon and received numerous awards. He was awarded a bronze medal at the 1889 Universal Exhibition and the Légion d'honneur in 1892. Gustave Deloye's works are rare, whether in marble or plaster. This extremely demanding artist was not very prolific, and the very small number of works on the market probably explains the general public's unfamiliarity with the sculptor.
His works on display in France include “Léon Noël” bust in the Père-Lachaise cemetery in Paris, “Saint Marc” in the Musée d'Orsay, and “Giuseppe Garibaldi” monument in the Place Garibaldi in Nice.

Ce plâtre représente un homme agenouillé au pied d’une femme. Les postures des deux personnages sont particulièrement gracieuses. L’homme blottit la tête contre la jeune femme laquelle le regarde avec tendresse. Leurs mains sont étroitement entrelacées. On remarquera le soin apporté aux détails, la souplesse du drapé, les chevelures bouclées, les éléments floraux, et les tourterelles à leurs pieds. Cette sculpture est un véritable hommage à l’amour fort et passionné.
Ce plâtre est l’épreuve originale réalisée et signée par Deloye. Il s’agit d’une œuvre essentielle qui préfigure l’Art nouveau. Elle est en bon état, avec seulement quelques accidents mineurs dont le plus notable se trouve au bec d’une des tourterelles dont la réfection est visible. La restauration récente de ce plâtre a consisté à retirer une patine ocre apposée postérieurement.