catalog text
FRANÇOIS ANDRÉ CLÉMENCIN
French, 1878-1950
"Celui qui fut pris" (The one that was taken)
Patinated & polychromed bronze | Signed on base "A. Clemencin"
Item # 110BKP22X
An exquisite and rare Art Nouveau model of a knight carrying off a young woman he has rescued, it is an infrequent find that is showcased among the few bronzes selected for Duncan's "Art Nouveau Sculpture". The subject of knights rescuing maidens has long made for interesting storytelling in sculpture, but this model is stellar for its depth of sensitivity, overall composition and placement of the figures and exquisite quality. There is such expression in the face of the knight towards the young woman as he lovingly turns his head inward with his eyes closing. It is clear the warrior is the "one who is taken", giving up war and strength and power for love and vulnerability.
The present example is raised over a molded base titled Celui qui fut pris and signed A. Clemencin. The surface exhibits great variation and originally would have presented the knight as entirely silvered against the golden bronze tones of the young woman. That patina is inherently soft and has largely worn away over time to reveal the underlying chaotic natural patina of the bronze with only trace remnants of the silvering. It is an exceedingly good cast with intricate detail to each element, fine chiseling and exceptional finishing work.
We may still have another example of this available in the gallery inventory - contact us to view the second example, as it is always instructive to compare and is rather a rare opportunity to see two of this scarce model together at the same time.
ARTIST
Born on October 7th of 1878 in Lyons, France, François André Clémencin studied under Jules Coutan. He was a member of the Salon des Artistes Français and began exhibiting there in 1907, the same year receiving honourable mention. He received a second-class medal in 1921, a gold medal in 1930 and was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. His submissions to Salon include Les Murmures de la forêt in 1907, Fleurs et ris in 1908, Celui qui fuy pris and Avant le tournoi in 1910, Baigneuse and Enigme in 1911 and later Jeune Bacchante tenant des pampres.
Artist Listings & Bibliography:
- Art Nouveau Sculpture, Alastair Duncan, Rizzoli, 1978, p. 70
- E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Vol. III, Gründ, 2006, p. 1100
- Bronzes of the Nineteenth Century: A Dictionary of Sculptors, Kjellberg, Schiffer, 1994, p. 214, ill. p. 215
- The Dictionary of Western Sculptors in Bronze, James Mackay, 1977, p. 73
Measurements: 14 3/4" H x 8 1/2" W (at widest) x 5" D (base diameter)
Condition Report: Trace discoloration to patina and light handling wear throughout; surface originally was partially polychromed in silver and only remnants of that earlier surface remain in crevices and other areas - the silver is an inherently soft patina and that has been gently rubbed away from handling over the years to leave the burnished and naturally patinated underlying bronze. The natural patina is relatively undisturbed and presents beautifully. The knight is missing a tiny hook from his breastplate - we can have a perfect match fabricated upon request. Flat spot on the woman's upraised wrist. A very fine presentation.