Achievement: David d'Angers, Pierre-Jean (Angers, March 12, 1788 - Paris (75), January 6, 1856) (Sculptor)
The Battle of Heliopolis (March 20, 1800)
The Battle of Heliopolis (March 20, 1800)
Production: Circa 1831 - Circa 1832
Estate : Sculpture
Technique(s) : Terracotta
Dimensions : H. 26 cm ; W. 35 cm
Inventory no.: S.1628
Photo credit(s):
Lauginie, François
Cartel
Voted for in 1823, the Porte d'Aix triumphal arch in Marseille underwent several changes in its iconographic program. In 1828, David d'Angers and Ramey, who were working on the Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile, were commissioned to depict the military exploits of the Duc d'Angoulême in Spain. With the fall of Charles X in July 1830, the subject was replaced by a glorification of the battles of the Revolution and Empire. David received the north face with La Bataille de Fleurus, won by Jourdan, and La Bataille d'Héliopolis, won by Kléber, as well as a large relief for the inside of the arch, Le Départ des Volontaires. While Ramey's marbles were not installed until 1839, David's were in place for the unveiling in 1835.
David produced a large number of preparatory drawings and several terracotta sketches, revealing his hesitations about the final compositions. In 1842, he offered these three reliefs to the archaeologist Charles Lenormant (1802-1859), who gave or bequeathed them to Philippe Mantellier (1810-1884), curator of the Hôtel Cabu from 1855 to 1877 and, like him, a member of the Société archéologique de l'Orléanais, who in turn donated them to the museum before 1872. The flattened treatment of these reliefs accentuates the expression of the figures and underlines David's contribution to Romantic sculpture, with the same research in his famous medallions and monumental sculpture.
Provenance
Presented by the artist to Charles Lenormant (1802-1859), 1842.
Bequest or gift from Charles Lenormant to Philippe Mantellier (1810-1884), curator of the Musée d'histoire et d'archéologie d'Orléans from 1855 to 1877.
Gift of Philippe Mantellier (1810-1884) to the Musée des Beaux-arts d'Orléans, before 1872.
School
France
Location
Museum of Fine Arts
1st mezzanine
Room: The salon under the July monarchy (1830-1848)