catalog text
HENRI CHAPU (FRENCH, 1833-1891) BRONZE SCULPTURE “ALLEGORY OF TRUTH”
From a monument to Gustave Flaubert, signed lower right, stamped foundry seal of Thiebaut Freres left side
Item # 511SFT01
This relief bronze sculpture by Henri Chapu is based on his more substantial “Allegory of Truth”, a monument to Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) held at the Musee des Beaux Arts, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France. Cast almost exclusively by the Thiebaut Freres foundry, the present example is sealed with their mark on the lower left side. Finely cast and detailed, the sculpture captures a classical female figure faithfully rendering words from her scrolls onto the monument wall, resting on the column draped in her flowing garment beneath the thin branches and foliage of a small tree. The column is signed at the base “h. Chapu” and the entire sculpture rests over a rouge marble base and is backed by the marble with beveled corners and a broken-arch tympanum. The sculpture disassembles from the back with three original nuts, these allowing the custom brass plate added verso to be easily removed for a different presentation.
Sale Results:
- Sotheby’s, April 14 2010, lot 260 (common marble base and backing absent), Thiebaut Freres, 14” H; hammer price $3,221 USD
Measurements: 17 1/8" H x 4 1/8" D x 11 3/8" W (total dimensions including brass plate); 13 5/8" H x 2 1/4" D x 8 5/8" W (bronze relief only)
Condition Report:
Old repaired cracks in rouge marble; brass plate backing added. Minor patina wear, light chips to marble. Cleaned, sealed and polished - presentation ready condition.