Georges Marie Valentin Bareau (1866-1931) L’Histoire Marble Sculpture
This sculpture by the renowned artist, Georges Marie Valentin Bareau (1866-1931), measuring 24 by 22 by 9 inches, is a rare example in marble of L'Histoire, an allegory of history, also known as L'Appel Aux Armes (Call to Arms), for its association with the President du Comite Central les Huissiers de France, Congres de Bordeaux. The work is also known as La Poesie (Poetry). Casting by Barbedienne in the early 20th century have repeatedly appeared for sale at auction and elsewhere for many years, but ours is the only example in marble that we have seen in our 17 years in business. Signed George Bareau.
Born in Paimbœuf, south of Nantes, he attended the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied under Charles Gauthier (1831-1891) and Gabriel-Jules Thomas (1824-1905). He first exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1889 when he won a third place medal. In 1893 he received a second place medal and 1897 a first class medal and Croix de Chevalier of the Legion d'honneur. In 1906 he achieved the Medaille d'honneur and the title of Officier of the Légion d'Honneur. His works are found in various museums, including Musée de Nantes and the Grand Palais in Paris. His major works include Dying Leander (1893), The Flag (1895) Time Creating Wisdom (1897), a monument to Victor Hugoof 1902 (bought by the Ville de Paris), a marble statue representing Awakening of Humanity (1906), Diana the Huntress at the Petit Palais, Asiatic Art at the Grand Palais, a monument to Dr Benoist in St-Nazairek a monument to the surgeon Alphonse Guérin in Ploërmel, a monument to Jacques Cartier in St-Malo; statues of Jehan Fouquet and Briçonnet at the town hall in Tours, and a war memorial in Nantes (from a design by M.S. Lami). (Source: Benezit Dictionary of Artists.)
