Henri-Michel CHAPU (1833-1891) Lot n° 185

Important sculpture in white Carrara marble representing "Youth" in the form of a young draped woman holding an olive branch in gilt metal (missing). Signed H. Chapu (slight chip in the upper right corner). H : 122 cm Provenance: A family tradition, this sculpture is said to have been given by the sculptor to the great-grandmother of the current owner. Bibliography: Pierre Kjellberg, Les bronzes du XIXe siècle, Dictionnaire des sculpteurs Les éditions de l'Amateur, Paris, 1987. Presented at the 1875 Salon, "La Jeunesse" represents the allegorical part of the monument dedicated to the painter Henri Regnault located in the courtyard of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In the final monument, the young woman holds a palm towards the bronze bust of the artist made by Degeorge. The Musée d'Orsay holds a sketch in patinated plaster, while the Musée d'Angers held a large plaster version that corresponded to the one presented at the 1900 Paris World's Fair, now destroyed. Henri-Michel Chapu was one of the official sculptors of the Third Republic. He entered the École des Beaux-Arts and studied under Pradier and Duret. He quickly distinguished himself by his talent and won the second great prize of engraving in medal in 1851, then the second great prize of sculpture two years later, finally, the first great prize of sculpture in 1855. Elected member of the Institute in 1880, he had a brilliant career receiving numerous official commissions.