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A Late 19th Century Bronze Figural Group: GLORIA VICTUS
by Marious-Jean-Antonin Mercie and F. Barbedienne
Foundry. Inscribed A. Mercie and Titled to Front
of the Circular Plinth. Incised F. Barbedienne, Fondeur
Paris and Numbered 262. At a Height of 74", This
Cast is the Largest and Most Important of All the Gloria
Victus Models.
Born
in Tolouse in 1845, Mercie Studied Under Jouffroy
and Falguiere and Won the Grand Prix de Rome at the
Age of 23. Shortly After the Prussians Invaded France
in 1870, he Executed a Group Depicting the Figure
of Fame Supporting a Victorious Soldier. Upon Hearing
of France's Surrender, he Decided to Alter his Group,
Replacing the Victorious Soldier with a Defeated Patriot,
Thus Transforming an Allegory of Glory to the Victors
into one of Glory to the Vanquished. Many Believe
the Figure of the Fallen Soldier to Represent Henri
Regnault, a Fellow Sculpture Killed on the Last day
of the War. Item #CC960.
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