catalog text
ADRIEN-ETIENNE GAUDEZ
French, 1845-1902
"Molière l'Enfant" (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin)
Patinated bronze | Signed "A. GAUDEZ", cold-stamped foundry cachet "SUSSE Fres" verso | Circa 1890
Item # 111MRX11A
A finely cast model of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (French, 1622-1673), known as Molière, it is a wonderful historical study that captures the playwright and actor as a carefree youth. Reclined in a worn out chair, and judging by the worn out covering and loose fringe and gimp this is likely the chair he is supposed to be upholstering, the upholsterer's apprentice is spending his afternoon with a small book opened across his lap. He hasn't a care in the world, his tacking hammer held loosely in his hand as he is totally enveloped by the text. It captures Molière working for his father, who had purchased the post of valet de chambre ordinaire et tapissier du Roi and was responsible for maintaining the carpets and upholstery of the furnishings for the King of France, a post that was often hereditary and that his father hoped to pass on to him one day. The sculpture offers a glimpse at Molière's chosen path, much to the chagrin of his father, leaving the world of upholstery unfinished and following the written word into a world of creativity.
The present model was cast by Susse and finished in a medium-brown patina. It presents over a removable plinth with a central post that allows the sculpture to rotate easily and be viewed from any angle without lifting the bronze. The reverse of the base is cold-stamped with the foundry pastille for "SUSSE Fres" [over a tulip] and the base is signed in block A. GAUDEZ.
ADRIEN-ETIENNE GAUDEZ (FRENCH, 1845-1902)
Born in Lyon in February of 1845, Adrien-Etienne Gaudez enrolled at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in 1862 where he studied under François Jouffroy. He debuted at the Paris Salon only two years later and continued exhibiting from 1864 through 1889, winning a third class medal at the Salon of 1884 and the first class medal in 1881. He was awarded the Legion d'Honneur in 1883. He also won gold medals at the Exposition Universelle of 1889 and 1900. Many of his works are held in major museums around the world including Valence, Louviers and Clermont-Ferrand.
Artist Listings & Bibliography:
- "Bronzes of the 19th Century", Kjellberg, p. 346-8
- "Bronzes: Sculptors and Founders", H. Berman, 1977, fig. 2626 (also see vol IV, p. 723 for biographical notes)
- "Art Bronzes", Michael Forrest, p. 475
Measurements: 15" H x 8 3/4" D (base) x 12" W (total width)
Condition Report: Original patina in good overall condition. Some scuffing to the lowest base, very light handling wear to the sculpture throughout.