DAVID D'ANGERS (French, 1788-1856)

Details

DAVID D'ANGERS (French, 1788-1856)

'Général Bonchamp', A Bronze Figure

inscribed 'DAVID D'ANGERS', '^.Grace pour les prisonniers, Bonchamp le veut^.' and 'Fromènt-Meurice Ciseleur. a Son ami Wasselin des fosses 14 Juin 1854'
7 5/8in. (19.4cm.) high, rich greenish brown patina

Literature

Galeries nationales du Grand Palais, La Sculpture Français au XIXe Siecle, 1986, p. 279, fig. 323 for the tomb, cat. no. 173 for the plaster
Musées d'Angers, Galerie David D'Angers, pp. 34-36, illus. for the tomb

Lot Essay

In 1793, Bonchamps was mortally wounded on the battlefield at Cholet. On his deathbed, he freed several thousand prisoners--one of whom was Pierre Louis Davide, the father of David d'Angers. In 1817, the sculptor was given the chance to repay the debt by modeling the figures for the general's tomb.