Gustave Doré (1832-1883) Virgin and Child Bronze... Lot 29

Gustave Doré (1832-1883) Virgin and Child Bronze with a brown-green patina Signed " G Doré " on the front of the terrace Bears the founder's stamp " THIEBAUT FRERES FONDEURS PARIS " on the terrace on the reverse side H. 50 cm In 1880, Gustave Doré conceived a Madonna holding the infant Jesus to decorate the tomb of his friend, the actress Alice Ozy. The Christ, re-presented with his arms crossed in an attitude prefiguring his Passion, seems to be inspired by Carrier-Belleuse's Messiah. However, dismissing the source of this inspiration, the artist writes: "[...] I think I have given a new and absolutely personal turn. The Virgin, playing with her child, brings the movement of her arms to a gesture exactly like that of the last breath on the Cross. The mystical meaning that this group carries in correlation of the end with the beginning of the divine career has generally moved and enchanted the visitors of my studio" (April 3, 1880, DOR 1992/2-138, documentation G. Doré at the Museum of Modern Art in Strasbourg).