Lot Essay
Also known as La Force protégeant le travail, the present group was commissioned, along with its pendant, L'Ordre comprimant les pervers ou protégeant les nations, on December 18, 1854. The two figures, along with another pair, La Guerre and La Paix were designed for the Cour du Carrousel of Napoléon III's New Louvre palace and represented the personifications of the duties of the State, the Government and the Citizen. La Force and L'Ordre were placed on the façade of the Denon pavilion, with La Guerre and La Paix across the courtyard on the Richlieu pavilion side.
The models were edited in three sizes by Barbedienne during Barye's lifetime. The present example is the middle size.
Another La Force together with L'Ordre was sold Christie's New York, 12 October 1993, lot 122.
The models were edited in three sizes by Barbedienne during Barye's lifetime. The present example is the middle size.
Another La Force together with L'Ordre was sold Christie's New York, 12 October 1993, lot 122.