Jean Marie GASPAR (1861-1931). Lot n° 33

Jean Marie GASPAR (1861-1931). Gallic rooster. Bronze with golden patina. Height: 62 cm. This subject is a major sculpture in the artist's oeuvre. It surmounts the white stone column of the monument erected in honor of the French who died for their country in the Arlon cemetery. Cast by Verbeyst, it was inaugurated on August 17, 1919. The following day, the sculptor was awarded the Rosette d'officier de l'instruction publique by the French ambassador, M. de Margerie. The Musée Gaspar in Arlon owns two bronze reductions of the subject. The example presented in this sale stands on its original wooden base with a commemorative plaque dedicated by the Touring Club of Belgium to Mr. Van Meerbeeck on December 18, 1921. We enclose a detailed article on the design of the bronze and a copy of a Touring Club publication evoking the tribute to Henri van Meerbeeck. We would like to thank Valérie Peuckert, Director and Curator of the Gaspar Museum in Arlon, for her contribution to our description.