Gustave DELOYE (1838-1899) - Passion

Patinated plaster
Dimensions: H. 73cm

Jean-Baptiste Gustave Deloye is one of the best representatives of the neo-baroque style that emerged during the Second Empire in France. In architecture and sculpture, this artistic movement is also known as the "flamboyant Third Republic", and it was to play a key role in the reconstruction of the Paris we know today. From the same artistic movement, "L'Immortalité devançant le Temps" (Immortality Ahead of Time) is the allegorical, monumental sculpture that adorns the roofs of the Grand Palais, a world-famous group of prancing horses.

In 1984, the Musée d'Orsay placed a large sculpture by Gustace Deloye in its central aisle: "Saint Marc", a 2.05 m high plaster cast, is one of the works with which Gustave Deloye inaugurated the neo-baroque style that would lead to Art Nouveau a few years later.

Born in Sedan in 1838, Deloye entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris at the age of 19. Four years later, he won a mention in the Prix de Rome competition, and in 1861 was awarded second prize. Between 1865 and 1886, Gustave Deloye took part in the Salon and received numerous awards. He was awarded a bronze medal at the 1889 Universal Exhibition and the Légion d'honneur in 1892. Gustave Deloye's works are rare, whether in marble or plaster. This extremely demanding artist was not very prolific, and the very small number of works on the market probably explains why the general public is so unfamiliar with this great sculptor.

His works that can be seen in France include Léon Noël buste at the Père-Lachaise cemetery in Paris, Saint Marc sculpture at the Musée d'Orsay, and Giuseppe Garibaldi monument on the Place Garibaldi in Nice.

This patinated plaster depicts a man kneeling at the foot of a woman. The postures of the two figures are particularly graceful. The man nestles his head against the young woman, who gazes at him tenderly. Their hands are intertwined. The attention to detail, the supple drapery, the curly hair, the floral elements and the turtledoves at their feet are remarkable. This sculpture is a true tribute to strong, passionate love.
This work is in very good condition, without repair, with only the beak of one of the doves broken.