catalog text
FRANÇOIS ANDRÉ CLÉMENCIN
French, 1878-1950
"Celuy qui fut pris" (The One Who Was Taken)
Patinated bronze | Signed on base "A. Clemencin" | cold-stamped "46" and "32" and "FRANCE" in ovular outline
Item # 306OCE23P
An exquisite and rare model of François André Clémencin's iconic knight embracing a young woman, it is a rather scarce example that is showcased among the few bronzes selected for Duncan's reference work "Art Nouveau Sculpture". While the subject of knights rescuing young women from battle has long made for interesting storytelling in sculpture, it is the sensitivity and composition of this model that is so compelling. The two figures are perfectly juxtaposed and yet entirely one; the hardened warrior covered head to toe in intricate steel armor, the young woman entirely devoid of clothing or weaponry. And yet his expression of total devotion and love are met by her total embrace. The warrior abandons his war for love and it becomes clear in the image that the warrior is "the one who was taken".
The sculpture was finished part in a silvered patina, part in gilded patina and part in chemically patinated bronze for a very complex surface - this has worn over the years to become chaotic, revealing lower levels of surface with hints of red and copper undertones throughout. The surface exhibits exquisite chiseling and an overall very fine casting quality that brings the figures to live in near photographic realism. They are raised over a molded base titled Celui qui fut pris, signed A. Clemencin.
We may still have another example of this model in the gallery - contact us for further details.
FRANÇOIS ANDRÉ CLEMENCIN
Born on October 7th of 1878 in Lyons, France, François André Clémencin studied under Jules Coutan. He was a member of the Salon des Artistes Français and began exhibiting there in 1907, the same year receiving honourable mention. He received a second-class medal in 1921, a gold medal in 1930 and was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. His submissions to Salon include Les Murmures de la forêt in 1907, Fleurs et ris in 1908, Celui qui fuy pris and Avant le tournoi in 1910, Baigneuse and Enigme in 1911 and later Jeune Bacchante tenant des pampres.
Artist Listings & Bibliography:
- Art Nouveau Sculpture, Alastair Duncan, Rizzoli, 1978, p. 70
- E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Vol. III, Gründ, 2006, p. 1100
- Bronzes of the Nineteenth Century: A Dictionary of Sculptors, Kjellberg, Schiffer, 1994, p. 214, ill. p. 215
- The Dictionary of Western Sculptors in Bronze, James Mackay, 1977, p. 73
Measurements: 15 1/8" H x 8" W (at widest) x 5" D (base diameter)
Condition Report: Trace discoloration to patina and light handling wear throughout; much of the original silvering patina worn away on the knight, revealing the hues of patinated bronze beneath; abrasion to the young woman's outstretched toe; light relief to the patina on the woman's buttocks with a tiny dimple casting flaw central to the wear; abrasion to the proper left corner of the shield; a few abrasions to the upper rim of the base to the right of the signature. A fine presentation.