Large 36” French Bronze Sculpture of Warrior “Vainqueur” by Eugene Marioton

Details

Description

EUGENE MARIOTON
French, 1857-1933

"Vainqueur"

Dark-brown patinated bronze | signed "E. Marioton", foundry cachet for Siot-Decauville, cold-stamped D718 | cast … Read more EUGENE MARIOTON
French, 1857-1933

"Vainqueur"

Dark-brown patinated bronze | signed "E. Marioton", foundry cachet for Siot-Decauville, cold-stamped D718 | cast circa 1910

stock ref. 307HZX19A


Measurements: 36 3/4" H x 9 7/16" W x 9 7/16" D

Essay
An exquisite example of "Vainqueur" cast after the model by the French sculptor Eugène Marioton, the sculpture is an evocative bronze that captures the heart of triumph and the classical spirit of victory. This fine casting dating from around 1910 is a testament to Marioton's mastery over form and his deep connection to the Neoclassical tradition.

The surface exhibits a dark-brown overall patination on perfectly smoothed and polished flesh, the finely textured garment, shoes and base all exhibiting excellent detail retention. The reverse of the base is sealed with their foundry cachet in a circular motif and is cold-stamped "D718" while the front is carefully engraved with the title of the work and the right side is engraved with the signature.

'Vainqueur,' French for 'victor,' embodies the ancient tradition of celebrating the human form and its capabilities. The sculpture depicts a muscular male figure, exuding the vitality and dynamism of a victor in the wake of his success. With a laurel wreath held high, a timeless symbol of glory and honor, the figure is a nod to the heroic athletes and warriors of antiquity. His only garment is a draped animal skin while the quiver of arrows at his feet and bow held gingerly in his hands evoke the presence of the legendary figures of Greek mythology, perhaps an illustrious archer or a distinguished hunter basking in the glory of his conquest.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, 'Vainqueur' showcases Marioton's ability to convey movement and emotion in his static figures. The warrior's upraised arm and open stance suggest a moment of exultation frozen in time, while his serene expression with gentle eyes reflects the grace of his achievement.

This sculpture is a celebration of human excellence and the timeless quest for achievement. It invites the onlooker to contemplate the ideals of beauty, heroism, and the exuberant joy of victory that have inspired mankind across ages. It stands as a bridge to the past, a glimpse of the proud physical accomplishment that once filled the ancient arenas and battlefields.

Condition:
Carefully cleaned and polished. Some rubbing wear to patina. Branch with a repaired hairline crack. Ready to place.

Biography
Eugéne Marioton was born in Paris on April 7th of 1857, brother to the likewise famous sculptor Claudius Marioton. They enjoyed strong reputations and careers, Eugéne’s stretching over a fifty year period with his debut at the Salon des Artistes Français in Paris in 1882 where he continued to exhibit regularly through 1922. Both he and his brother studied under Augustin Alexandre Dumont, and he further was pupil to Thomas and Bonnassieux. He won bronze medals at the 1889 and 1900 Exposition Universelle and a traveling scholarship in 1888. He specialized in small bronze works, mostly figural studies that were academic and executed in the Romantic taste. Of these, a majority were cast by the E. Colin and Siot-Decauville foundries, both prolific and highly skilled firms.

References:

Bronzes of the 19th Century: A Dictionary of Sculptors, Pierre Kjellberg, p. 458-60 See less